The Communist
Party of Kenya (CPK) has called upon the government of Kenya to back up
measures to protect the health rights of its citizens against Coronavirus
pandemic.
In a press
briefing, CPK Vice Chairman Booker Ngesa Omole said the party has suspended all
its affairs including the sub-county and study circle meetings across the
country until further communication.
“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 Mr. Omole
The Vice
Chair stated that, “The 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.”
Mr. Omole
said that I the public transport system was State owned and managed, the
Government of the day would have effected the public vehicle hygiene policies –to
the highest standards –without having to plead with the private bus/matatu
owners to do so.
“If the
Government controlled the distribution of basic commodities in the Country,
then the President would not be pleading or issuing threats to the private
distributors not to increase the price of these commodities,” he said.
VC Omole
said the party recognizes the ongoing efforts by the Government to arrest the
spread of infection of the Virus, and in particular commending the actions of
the healthcare workers who in spite of the possible risks, are determined to
ensure that they play their role to mitigate the risks to the public.
CPK welcomed
government measures to business people against taking advantage of the current
situation, hiking prices of the basic commodities.
Mr Omole stated,
“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.”
Booker Ngesa Omole, Vice Chairperson -CPK, addressing a past event in Gem Constituency, he is also an aspirant for Gem constituency parliamentary seat. File Photo
“Indeed, the
Competition Authority of Kenya and other Government agencies have already taken
punitive and criminal action against some of these profiteers. However, the
party feels like a lot needs to be done, both in the short term and in the long
run,” added Mr. Omole.
A majority
of Kenyans are still not aware of what they can do to minimise the risk of
being infected and the government should launch a major campaign, educating
them on this.
The party
want workers to be protected from profit-obsessed bosses, with the government
issuing strict orders to employers to ensure that their workers get full pay
during this uncertain period.
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 at an affordable cost.
CPK also
want the Government to ensure uninterrupted water supply especially urban
areas, and take up the responsibility of ensuring that public service vehicles meet
the required standards of sanitation.
Mr. Omole
added that “The 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.
