The politicians are at it again. In a selfish pursuit for power and influence, aspirants for 2022 elections are holding public rallies in complete disregard of the Ministry of Health guidelines in face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some 640 Kenyans have died and more than 36, 500 have tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Lives have been devastated by this virus that is easily spread through close human contact. Data indicate that some 1. 7 million Kenyans have lost their jobs as the economy takes a beating.
It is therefore unfortunate that politicians have hit the ground running in what seems to be a show-off and also to show the numbers they have.
The Health Ministry is still announcing new positive cases but it seems few Kenyans are taking note, given the huge crowds chanting and cheering the politicians at their rallies.
Why are the politicians holding these rallies and moving all over with no social distancing or wearing of face masks?
Elections are coming up in two years’ time, and the same people they are exposing to the virus will be expected to vote for them.
But should they die en masse who will cast the ballot? If we are candid enough with our leadership, those in government and breaking the regulations by campaigning should be forced to resign.
If an Irish government official has resigned for attending a golfing event that breached the Covid-19 rules, why not a Kenyan leader hopping from one town to another and addressing large crowds? Is that responsibility?
The government has banned huge gatherings, and if we take the guidelines, there should not be more than 100 in a meeting.
The leaders should bear this in mind that treating Covid-19 is an expensive affair and our health systems are sickly.
If we do not care about the hospitals, let us respect the thousands of health workers fighting to save the lives of the infected. Leaders ought to set a good example to the electorate who have been told wear masks, sanitise, keep off crowds and keep social distance. It is unfair that a man shielded by bodyguards that he cannot mingle with the crowd and talks from a sunroof hole of his land cruiser is entertaining a meeting of death.
