Uhuru Kenyatta responded to jokes and memes from Kenyans who were highly anticipating he would open up the country for things to return to normalcy.
During his address at State House on June 6, he scoffed at what many citizens had likened to independence day.
“Twajua ni muda mgumu. Nimeona meme mingi zile mnatuma tuma huko (social media) sijui independence day, freedom day (We know its a very hard time. I have seen many jokes that you’re sharing on social media about independence day and freedom day),” he started.
“Hii sio mambo ya independence ni maisha jameni. Hatufanyi hii kuumiza mtu yeyote,” he said amid laughs. “Jamani twafanya hii kuhakikisha maisha ya watu wetu (It’s not about freedom, peoples’ lives are at stake. We are not punishing anyone. We are safeguarding Kenyans lives)”
“Afadhali uwe hai ndio uweze kula hiyo hepi ambayo unatafuta. Lakini ukiishia hiyo hepi ulikula sikumoja iwe ndiyo itakupeleka kwa kaburi, sioni haja wenzangu. Tutulie,nafasi bado itakuja (You would rather be alive so that you can have fun as you wish. If you enjoy now then it becomes the cause of your death, then its not worth it. Let us be patient and we’ll have time to enjoy), ” he explained.
While many Kenyans, particularly those in Nairobi were not happy with the extension of cessation of movement, a section of leaders applauded the president.
ANC Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi stated that under the circumstances, President Kenyatta made the right decision.
“Navigating through life-threatening times is not about populism but about hard & difficult decisions to save lives. Adherence to professional guidelines is crucial in beating the pandemic,” he praised.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga termed the president’s decision as wise.
“Balanced interventions by President Kenyatta today are a true mark of wisdom. If the virus moves to our villages, it would be impossible to contain and home-based care is impossible to implement in the majority of Kenyan homes,” she posted on Twitter.
Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow, however, had reservations on the head of state’s remarks
“Anticlimax. Disappointment, big time. The economy remains on the backseat. Hardly any change. Moving curfew start by 2 hours would mean Kenyans in Nairobi & Mombasa leave work at 5 pm latest to beat the jam/ delays,” he criticised.
