Kenya coronavirus: School year annulled, classes resume in 2021

Kenya continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic with cases steadily rising each day. Government have locked down a handful of counties including the capital Nairobi and imposed a night-time curfew as part of containment efforts.

This rolling page will continue to give updates on major occurrences as relates to the East African country. You can follow Kenya’s March – April 2020 COVID-19 updates on our earlier page.

Kenya as of May 10 was the fourth most impacted country in the East / Horn of Africa region only behind Djibouti, Sudan and Somalia. Government also rolled out mass testing in virus hot spots, borders remain shut and a ban on public gatherings continues.

July 7: Academic calender cancelled

Primary and secondary school students in Kenya will only return to school in 2021, the Education Ministry announced on Tuesday morning.

Subsequently, terminal exams for both levels – the Kenya Primary Certificate Exams, and the Kenya Secondary Certificate Exams – have also been cancelled.

The decision is based on the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic in the East African country. There are over 8,000 confirmed cases as at June 6.

President Kenyatta on the same day announced the partial lifting of a curfew on hotspots whiles a number of restrictions were also eased.

The president at the time only mentioned that despite places of worship being allowed to reopen, Sunday and Islamic weekend schools were to remain closed.

A number of countries across Africa have opted for a gradual reopening of school, more often allowing final year students back to prepare for exams.

July 5: 8,067 cases; partial lockdown lifted President Uhuru Kenyatta in an address this morning announced the lifting of partial lockdown imposed months back. The cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera counties will be lifted effective 4.00 am tomorrow, July 7.

The night-time curfew however remains in place for a further 30 days. Places of worship are also allowed to reopen under strict conditions.

For example, only 100 congregants will be allowed to worship in church for a maximum of one hour. Sunday schools and Islamic schools – madrasas – will remain closed.

The case load passed 8,000 mark with the latest addition of 181 new cases with the majority from Nairobi county – the most impacted area in the country. Reports also indicate that international air travel will be restarting on August 1.

Kenya becomes the second country in the region to pick an early August restart date after Rwanda announced a similar measure over the weekend. Tanzania, reopened skies weeks back in a bid to cash in on the tourist season.

Tanzania relaxed entry rules at the time even though Kenya and Rwanda have put in place strict virus controls measures ahead of the reopening. Last week, the Tourism Minister announced a raft of measures to cushion the industry and boost its potential.

Total confirmed cases = 8,067 Total recoveries = 2,414 Total deaths = 164 Cumulative tests = 191,394

Figures valid as of close of day July 6, 2020

July 2: over 6,600 cases; tourism industry gets big boost Kenya has taken giant steps to shore its tourism industry from the worsening economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala announced a raft of measures on Thursday. “Due to the adverse effects of Covid-19 to the tourism and wildlife sector. We have reduced entry fees to all Kenya Wildlife Service game parks and reserves to 50%.

“This will apply for all categories of tourists (local, residents & international), effective July 1, 2020 for one year,” he added. The main interventions are:

Reduced national park entry fees for Kenyan and international visitors. Lodges inside the parks have also been given a year’s moratorium from paying rent.

Film makers have also been given a 50% discount on filming fees charged in parks.

The minister also urged the lodges to use the rent holiday to improve services. Tourism is a mainstay of the Kenyan economy. The country us a major player in the East African region along with Uganda and Tanzania.