Kenya President commends healthcare workers on May Day

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday praised healthcare workers for their role in the fight against COVID-19 as the rate of infections decline in the country.

Kenyatta was speaking during an address to the nation on the occasion of this year's International Labor Day Celebrations at his official residence, the State House.

"I lead the nation in celebrating our doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and medical support staff who have worked without tiring, for the last 14 months of this pandemic," Kenyatta said.

"Their current life of sacrifice and danger is a true testament that nothing is impossible. They have taught us that if we put our hearts and minds to the service of others selflessly, we will find our true happiness."

He said to honor the sacrifice made by the East African country's healthcare workers, the public must exercise continuous civic responsibility and not overwhelm the health system by acting irresponsibly and unnecessarily raising hospitalization rates.

"Let us repay their sacrifice with civic responsibility."

He also announced the lifting of partial lockdown measures imposed last month to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Restaurants, bars, schools, and religious services will now reopen, Kenyatta said, encouraging employers and businesses to allow employees to work from home.

"Restaurants are encouraged to utilize outdoor spaces to maximize on physical and social distancing," he added.

Kenyatta said that after a month of lockdown, COVID-19 infections in the capital Nairobi had decreased by 74%, falling by 89% in Mombasa and 90% in Busia between March and April.