COVID Response

Covid-19 in Kenya

Current Situation in Kenya

• As of August 2021, there have been 230,794 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kenya, with 215,374 recovered patients and 4,564 related deaths.

• On June 29th, the Government of Kenya announced continued restrictions in response to the worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions are primarily focused on 13 counties declared a “hotspot zone” – specifically Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho, Bomet, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori. Restrictions for the “hotspot zone” include:

  • A curfew enforced from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. 

  • Movement between the hotspot zone and the rest of the country is strongly discouraged, except for essential and emergency services.

  • Non-food and livestock markets are suspended.

  • Employers are advised to allow employees to work from home.

  • All physical and worship gatherings are suspended. 

  • Country-wide restrictions include:

  • A curfew enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

  • The continued prohibition against political gatherings and all public gatherings.

  • Places of worship may only use one-third of their normal capacity.

  • All funerals must be held within 72 hours after the confirmation of death, and no more than 100 people may attend a funeral.

  • Weddings, ceremonies of rites of passage, and all other similar events or ceremonies may have no more than 100 people attending.

  • Hospitals must restrict visitors to one individual per patient.​

  • Mandatory wearing of masks in public remains in effect. The government will not provide services to individuals not wearing a mask;

  • International flights resumed on August 1, 2020. Domestic air travel resumed on July 15, 2020 under Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines;

  • There are no inland border crossings except for commercial trucks.

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While these types of restrictions are common globally, the socio-economic challenges in Kenya makes this crisis even more precarious for the low-income families Kidogo serves.

• Up to 80% of the population is employed in the informal sector, rely on daily income to survive

• 60% of Nairobi’s population lives in densely populated informal settlements (slums) where physical distancing is effectively impossible