While the Kenyan people and all those who attend it and have interests in the country are anxiously awaiting the Government's decisions on the reopening or extension of the restrictions, which would expire tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, Malindikenya.net has tried to formulate five good reasons for the reopening of the country ecomomic, social and tourism and as many to continue with lockdown and curfew.
Here they are.

5 REASONS TO REOPEN KENYA

RELAXING ECONOMY: Before the pandemic, Kenya was one of the countries in the world with the highest GDP (5.5%) and growing projections, unstoppable for the investment programme and to be able to sustain debts with the World Bank and the Chinese government in particular. Now it is in a position to review all the plans and convince the world's major powers that there is room for a return to the saddle. But the more time passes, the more this will cost the country dearly, in terms of the cost of living and the stabilization of the middle class. Not to mention the loss of confidence in those who started investing in Kenya or had planned joint ventures in the immediate future.

AVOID EXTREME CONDITIONS OF MISERY: The lack of work, given in Kenya largely by the circular economy created by small traders, has affected the lower classes and that segment of people (at least 5 million) living in balance on the poverty line.
The second-hand markets, taverns and food shacks are closed and many will not reopen due to the impossibility of paying rents. Public transport is on its knees, as is every sector linked to inter-County movements. Premises and night-time activities, with curfews reaching 100 days, are in total despair.

ARGINING VIOLENCE: The frustration not only mental brought by the restrictions has created great discontent with the authorities throughout the country, particularly in the suburbs and slums of cities like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. The abuses perpetrated by the police forces have certainly not helped to improve the climate of tension. In rural areas, on the other hand, tribal clashes and feuds between farmers and breeders over the use of pasturable and cultivable areas and the terrible plague of water have resumed. Re-opening would bring back a less exacerbated climate and would allow institutions to return to play not only a Cerberus role.

SAVING TOURISM: It is not a prerogative, as many people think, of a few hoteliers, travel and safari agents or lodge owners. Tourism in Kenya is the country's fourth largest earner, and it is a source of income for more than 2 million Kenyans. In addition, it creates an influx of visitors, a part of which is transformed every year into investors at various levels, therefore, taxpayers as well as being a free promotional vehicle to bring more people. Re-opening the airports would reactivate, little by little, the flow that contributes to the development of this country, a growth that thanks to the beauty to be preserved every year looks more and more to eco-sustainability. Try nor are the recent laws of the Government to abolish plastic in the places most frequented by national and international visitors.

PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE: With the prolonged closure of schools, Kenya has experienced an increase in youth discomfort. Many families cannot afford to keep their children at home, because many schools, especially primary schools, often provided a meal for the children at a ridiculously low cost. Other students are left to their own devices at home and around, without their parents being able to control them, or have been sent to their home villages, where their grandparents are supposed to look after them. Here they are exposed to bad company and the girls to sexual violence. It is no coincidence that the increase in underage pregnancies has really worrying numbers. With a reopening now, one could think about going back to school from 1 September, otherwise everything would slide into January and it would be a real disaster.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALSO THE 5 REASONS WHY KENYA SHOULD NOT REOPEN IN OUR OPINION