A deserted street in Umoja, Nairobi, during curfew hours. Lifting the curfew should not turn out to be a poisoned chalice
In Summary
• Pressure has been piling on the government to ease the restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus that has ravaged the globe.
• We must all act responsibly and observe the basic Covid-19 containment measures
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday lifted the almost two-year curfew imposed after the first case of Covid-19 was publicly reported in Kenya in March 2020.
Pressure has been piling on the government to ease the restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus that has ravaged the globe.
It has been a tough balance for Kenya and it had to chose between saving lives and livelihoods. The government did its best under the circumstances.
Of course there were some flaws such as selective application of the containment measures, theft of Covid-19 funds and killings by overzealous police enforcing the curfew.
Kenya's Covid-19 positivity rate has been below five per cent for the past three weeks. This, according to WHO and health experts, gives room for easing of the measures.
The curfew was the major remaining containment measure. Kenya has evolved into a 24-hour economy and this can be witnessed in major urban centres.
Lifting the curfew should, however, not turn out to be a poisoned chalice.
We must all act responsibly and observe the basic Covid-19 containment measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and washing hands.
Ramping up vaccination across the country is the best containment measure. Those yet to be vaccinated should do so for their own safety and that of other Kenyans. Editorial, Star
Claims home which was under construction was bombed by unknown people.
In Summary
• Mwangi says the house was destroyed after unknown people attacked it and robbed his workers who were present.
• The workers say the attackers also shot at the scene but no injury was reported.
Police are investigating Activist Boniface Mwangi’s claims that his house was bombed in Lukenya, Machakos County.
"Officers are on their way to the Lukenya property to check the claims," National Police Service police spokesman Bruno Shioso said.
The attackers used improvised explosive devices in their mission.
Some of the unused IED cables were abandoned at the scene.
Abandoned cables for explosive devices found at the house belonging to activist Boniface Mwangi. Image:HANDOUT
The workers say the attackers also shot at the scene but no injury was reported.
Pictures of the scene show the foundation of the structure was affected.
Mwangi now wants police to investigate the incident and arrest those behind the same.
“I have names of the people I suspect did this because it is so hurting and I don’t know what to do,” he told the Star.
He saw this as part of intimidation from those in power over his actions of ensuring justice in society.
Part of the partially damaged house in Lukenya, Machakos County. Image:HANDOUT
He said if those behind the incident are not caught they shall survive to hunt him and hurt others.
“Four years ago they shot me. Yesterday they bombed my family home. Everything l do and say is protected by the constitution. They can take away my everything but l will never stop speaking truth to power. I need your solidarity, demand answers from the police,” he said.
“All l ask is an open and transparent investigation. If speaking the truth will get me killed, I’m ready to die."
Mwangi had been in Nairobi Wednesday evening attending a concert at the Alliance Française when he received the news.
Mwangi had for the better part of the past week been on social media engaging Kenyans on various issues.
Police say they are investigating the incident.
Machakos police boss Issa Mohamed said they are yet to know the motive and those behind it.
“The complainant is already dropping names of the possible people who did this and I don’t think this is helpful as it is affecting investigations,” he said.
He said experts had visited the scene as part of efforts to know those behind the said attack.
He asked for more time and patience for the investigations to be completed and action to be taken.
In the video shared on Social media, there are some bullets that could be seen.
“I’m not a criminal. I don’t do deals. I have never comprised my values. The state has blown up the house my family was building. The bullets, the explosives they used are on the scene. So what kind of a country are we living in?" he posed.
Mwangi said he is hurting but his spirit is not broken.
"Even this will pass. In a few hours, the day will break and it will be the work of the police to open investigations," he said.
"If the government doesn’t go after the culprits, they shall survive to hunt me and hurt others." Edited by D Tarus, by NANCY AGUTU AND CYRUS OMBATI, The Star
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