Five years since Kenya’s first Covid-19 case: Lessons, progress and preparedness
Experts warn that while Kenya has made significant progress, gaps remain in preparing for future health crises.
On Wednesday marks five years since Kenya confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 12, 2019, an event that set off a series of unprecedented health, economic, and social challenges.
As the country reflects on the pandemic’s impact, experts warn that while Kenya has made significant progress, gaps remain in preparing for future health crises.
More To Read
- Kenyan youth ranked among world's most mentally strong, better than many in Western nations
- Financial stress deepens as 78 per cent of Kenyans earn less than before Covid-19 period - Report
- CIA now says Covid-19 'more likely' to have come from lab not nature
- Covid-19 fraud mastermind Mukhtar Shariff sentenced to 17 years in prison
Dr. James Mwangi, an infectious disease specialist at Kenyatta National Hospital, notes that the pandemic exposed weaknesses in Kenya’s healthcare system but improved disease surveillance and emergency response.
"Covid-19 forced us to strengthen our healthcare system, from improving ICU capacity to enhancing laboratory testing. However, we still need better coordination between counties and the national government to ensure faster response in future pandemics," he says.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) commends Kenya’s handling of the crisis but emphasises the need for sustained investment in public health.
"Kenya did well in rolling out vaccination campaigns and public health measures, but the key lesson is that pandemics will keep coming. Investment in research, healthcare infrastructure, and early detection systems is crucial," he says.
A medical worker attends to a coronavirus patient in the intensive care unit of an isolation and treatment centre for those with COVID-19 in Machakos, south of the capital Nairobi, in Kenya, November 3, 2020. (Photo: AP/Brian Inganga)
Beyond health, Covid-19 left a lasting economic impact.
Small businesses were among the hardest hit, and the effects are still being felt today.
John Kamau, a Nairobi-based entrepreneur, recalls how lockdowns and restrictions nearly collapsed his retail business.
"We lost customers overnight, and some businesses never recovered. Even now, high inflation and disrupted supply chains make it difficult to bounce back fully," he says.
For many Kenyans, the pandemic was a turning point in how they perceive health emergencies. Faith Atieno, a resident of Kahawa Sukari, says Covid-19 changed how she prioritises health.
"Before Covid-19, I never thought about things like vaccines or emergency savings. Now, I take health precautions seriously, and I always keep some money aside in case of another crisis," she told The Eastleigh Voice on Tuesday.
As Kenya moves forward, the biggest challenge remains ensuring that lessons from the pandemic translate into long-term preparedness.
Experts stress the need for policies that strengthen healthcare funding, pandemic response planning, and public awareness.
Principal Secretary for Public Health & Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, alongside WHO Country Representative Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo and IOM Chief Migration Officer Basnet Mukunda, visited Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to engage the Border Management Committee on strengthening disease surveillance and response on February 14, 2025. (Photo: MoH)
The government has also been urged to integrate pandemic preparedness into national security planning to prevent future crises from taking the country by surprise.
With new disease threats always emerging, like the Ebola currently in Uganda Kenya’s experience with Covid-19 must serve as a foundation for better resilience.
On February 12, Dr Patrick Amoth Director General for Health, outlined key interventions, including the activation of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) and the repurposing of the MPox taskforce to oversee the Ebola response.
National and county Emergency operations centres have also been strengthened to ensure a coordinated approach.
He said that that Rapid Response teams including 85 trained personnel from the Africa Volunteer Health Corps, are on standby for immediate deployment.
Amoth noted that screening measures are also ongoing in high-risk entry points such as Busia, Malaba, Suam and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The question now is whether the country will act on these lessons before the next global health emergency strikes.
Top Stories Today
