The Coca-Cola System is committing $13m to support the continent through the various phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, TCCF has granted just under $4m to international and local NGOs, such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Amref Health to procure and distribute personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other critical needs for frontline workers and to help fund ICU-enabled ambulances for example in Mauritius and Madagascar.

It appears that the bigger concern for the government is how to increase its revenues to reduce the mismatch with its expenditures. The sharp decline in government revenues as a result of the negative impact of the pandemic on economic activity and tax cuts, particularly on individual taxpayers means that we should expect a wider fiscal deficit for as long as the current economic conditions persist.

In Kenya, the potential spread of the disease is likely to affect the well being of citizens, and an increase in the number of poor and vulnerable households is imminent.  This calls for a swift and coordinated policy approach by the Government in responding to the crisis to cushion Kenyans from the adverse effects of the pandemic. For the Government to respond appropriately, quality data on the effects of the pandemic is urgently needed.

The Education minister announced on Friday that the decision to reopen learning institutions will be made after scrutiny of Covid-19 pandemic data from the Ministry of Health.