Mohammed Hersi . A hotelier passionate about Tourism & Governance in Africa

We are now optimistic that Kenya will be taken off the red list, let me try and enumerate why we deserve to be off the red list.

How the traffic-light system works: The lists are decided based on the following criteria:

🎯The percentage of a country’s population that have been vaccinated:

Though ours is still low the uptake is very encouraging and travel frontliners have all been vaccinated which is a good thing. I urge you all to take the vaccine and prioritise the elderly and vulnerable which will help us reduce the fatality rate.

🎯The rate of infection :

Our positivity rate is also going down , numbers tested maybe on the lower side but we are still far better than many countries that don’t even test on daily basis. Please also keep in mind that majority who get tested are the ones who show signs of illness hence they tend to turn positive. If mass testing was to be done trust me our positivity rate will be negligible.

🎯The prevalence of variants of concern:

Thank God we are stable and due to genome testing no new variant has been detected . Let also commend ourselves we have tried hard to protect ourselves save for the careless politicians and their rallies exposing the masses.

🎯The country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing:

Genome testing was a key concern by UK authorities. Thanks to our authorities that gap has since been closed and thanks to our Government and Ministry of Health. Many have forgotten that Kemri, Kilifi did play a big role in the oxford vaccine development. We ain’t some” Jua Kali “failed state.

🎯Why are we pushing for UK to take Kenya off the red list?

Well UK is just not any other country. Firstly the red list meant that you come to Kenya you had to self isolate for 7 days and upon return to UK you do the same again. You tell me how many travellers are willing to undergo such restrictive measures. Kenya & UK we are like Siamese twins and there is a lot going on between Kenya & UK from Tourism to trade to education etc . Heathrow is a major hub in Europe hence we should strive to get all hurdles removed.

While Kenya has been pushing it is also obvious that the corporate world UK side is also hurting and the relationship is symbiotic.

Stop Press: Kip Keino Classic athletic meet equivalent to diamond league is happening this weekend in Nairobi. We are hosting elite athletes from around the world and this comes hot on the heels of the recent world junior world athletic meet. We are serious and open for business.

Well as always yours truly is choosing to remain an optimist.

Mohammed Hersi
Mombasa