OPINION: In this fight against COVID-19, GOK is trying, but delays will greatly cost us

It is said, "give credits when it is due." I must acknowledge the fact that the Government of Kenya (GOK) is trying the best to win this COVID-19 war. In fact, we can win this fight if we put more effort.

However, in my opinion, I think there are a lot of delays which might just pull us back and negate the much we have done.

Delay in distributing PPEs to our frontline health workers. During his briefing, health CS Mutahi Kagwe said the Ministry had received over 10,000 PPEs, which have already been approved by Kebs. Now, what are they waiting for so that they can start distributing them?

Delay in commencing mass testing. Health CS and CAS have been saying they want to commence mass testing since Tuesday. Today is Sunday, and they are yet to commence the exercise. On Tuesday, they tested 696 samples. On Wednesday, they tested 305 samples. On Thursday, they tested 300+ samples. On Friday, they tested 504 samples. Mutahi said they have the capacity to test 3,500 samples in a day, but we still don't know why this exercise has not started?

Delay in testing health workers. Delay in distributing face masks to the common mwananchi. Delay in distributing food to poor households.

Delay in transferring cash to the elderly, widows, and orphans. Delay in hiring more health workers. On Tuesday, health CS announced they would hire 5,000 more health workers. On Thursday, he said those who had applied through the Public service board to apply again through the County service board. These delays will cost us greatly.

Delay in releasing that Sh2 Billion and an additional Sh100 million to musicians, artists, and actors so that they can start entertaining us. Delay in imposing a nationwide total lockdown, or at least in the regions of Nairobi metropolis, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi. Delay in setting up and operationalizing more COVID-19 treatment facilities. Delay in equipping already identified isolation centres across the country.