The communist party of Kenya has called on the Kenyan government to do more to protect the health and the rights of all Kenyans from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the public health prevention and protection measures against the spread of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) that the government announced on 15th March 2020, the vice chair of the Communist Party of Kenya (CPK) Booker Ngesa Omole, suspended major Party affairs including the sub-county and study circle meetings across the Country for the recommended 14 days.
”During pandemics and crisis of such magnitude, it is the working class and masses that suffer the most. This suffering is not accidental; it is because the capitalist system is designed that way”. Said Booker Ngesa.
The party believes that, Corona Virus pandemic has exposed the poverty of the neo-liberal capitalist idea that the Kenyan society needs more and more of the private sector and less and less of state sector in the daily running of the economy.
Booker Ngesa Omole
The CPK welcomes the government’s warning to business community that they should not take advantage of the current situation to make more profits by increasing the prices of basic commodities.
“The government itself would have ensured that the working class and the masses continue accessing these commodities at favourable prices. Surrendering the provision of services to the private sector compromises both the implementation and standards of these services both in normal times and in times of crisis. The capitalists will always be inspired by profits and not the well-being of the people”. Mr Omole stated
CPK party has come up with several measures both short and long term to address the challenges pose by the Corona Pandemic. These measure include; Proper sensitization of the masses on the prevention and detection of Corona Virus. A majority of Kenyans are still not aware of what they can do to minimize the risk of being infected with the Virus.
The government must give strict orders to employers to ensure that their workers get full pay during this uncertain period. This will protect them from profit-obsessed bosses and their organizations.
The party has also proposed that the distinction between private hospitals and the public hospitals must be eliminated. Any person within Kenyan borders should be able to receive treatment at the nearest hospital, without being undermined by the high costs.
Insurance Companies that will not honor the demands of their clients should be put on notice. The Party demands that insurance companies which not cover Covid-19 treatment should be combated, and any insurance company that attempts not to pay must face extreme punitive measures.
Booker Ngesa Omole,
In the long run, Kenyans must demand for the realisation of our National Values and Principles of Governance as espoused in Article 10 of our Constitution which actually demands for socialism. Kenya needs to implement Article 43 of the Constitution to the fullest. This Article demands that every Kenyan must have decent housing; clean and safe water; adequate and nutritious food; access to the highest standards of health and healthcare; access to social security; and access to education. The Corona Virus has reminded humanity that our fate is interconnected, and that inequality is a threat to everyone.
”We must learn from the small island of Cuba which has made giant strides with respect to the provision of the above mentioned socio-economic rights in spite of the economic, financial and commercial blockade that has been imposed on it for over 50 years by the World’s biggest imperialist power, the United States of America. This small island has developed its medical and biotechnological capacity to the extent that all world powers are depending on it to continue offering the Corona Virus medicine and to develop a vaccine against this and other life threatening viruses”.
Booker Ngesa Omole
The Communist Party of Kenya calls on all Kenyans to rise up, join them and work together to destroy capitalism as it participate in building a world socialist order.
”In the final analysis, only Socialism can save humanity from extermination by poverty, viruses, pandemics, and wars”.
By Wednesday 1st April 2020, Kenya confirmed 22 new cases of Covid-19.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said on Wednesday, that this brings the number of cases to 81.
A total of 300 people were tested within the last 24 hours.
”The new patients are as follows – 18 Kenyans, two Pakistanis and 2 Cameroonians”.
Kagwe continued to urge Kenyans to take the Covid-19 situation seriously.
