COVID-19 and Human Rights: Perspectives and lived experiences of the Urban Poor in Kenya with regards to government COVID-19 response measures.

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, was first reported in China and has since spread across the globe. This sent the world into a state of panic. After the announcement of the first case in Kenya in March 2020, the government reacted by putting in place various directives and responsive measures in order to contain the spread of the disease. These included the onset, regular handwashing with soap, use of alcohol-based sanitizers, social distancing and use of face masks in public places, ban on public gatherings, closure of learning institutions, dusk-todawn curfew and closure of bars, restaurants, night clubs and places of worship, and restrictions of movement in and out of Nairobi (and other areas), among other measures were instituted.