WHY PRESIDENT UHURU MUST FOLLOW STRATEGIES OF SULTAN MEHMED THE CONQUEROR.

Kenya as a country so far has showed the world and Africa continent that we are able to conquer the Corona epidemic, thus the appeal to President Uhuru to use any means necessary to keep up the fight. 

President Uhuru is faced with a situation which befall father of faith- Abraham, getting first a love child Ishmael and then siring Isaac the anointed marriage desired child in old age, only to be requested by God to offer the child as a sacrifice, today president is faced with similar situation with Country health vis a vis our economy and development agenda.

A quick reminder to all Kenyans the President swore for full realization the high calling of the Republic of Kenya, he did swear and solemnly affirm that he will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya; that he will obey, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya, as by law established, and all other laws of the Republic; and that he will protect and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. The guidelines by the World Health Organizations are our only hope to fight the epidemic.

Presidency Intervention

Thus today 6^th July,2020 the authority of the President shall report in an address to the nation, on all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realization of the national values mainly focusing on measures towards stopping the spread of covid19.

Its on this basis that we call for President Uhuru not to relent from his quest to neutralize the spread of Corona Virus, it’s my humble appeal that the precedency must study how historically countries and states fought against war invasions. A case study on the fall of Constantinople in the year 1453.

The fall of Constantinople known as 'Conquest of Istanbul’ marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, and effectively the end of the Roman Empire, a state which dated back to 27 BC and lasted nearly 1,500 years, the Conquest of the city took place on a culmination of 53-day siege which had begun on 6 April 1453.

The conquest of Constantinople and its fall was a key event of the Late Middle Ages and is sometimes considered the end of the Medieval period. The city's fall, also stood as a turning point in military history. Since ancient times, cities and castles had depended upon ramparts and walls to repel invaders.

The attacking Ottoman army, which significantly outnumbered Constantinople's defenders, was commanded by the 21-year-old Sultan Mehmed II (later called Mehmed the Conqueror), while the Byzantine army was led by Emperor Constantine XI, the fall by the Ottoman Empire gives us an opportunity to study and reflect on the best strategy to use to neutralize the spread of Corona Virus.

Population and Impacts of Health

The World Bank: Kenya Total Population statistics indicates the country has a population 52,573,973(including foreigners) as of December 2019, “CovidWise” the country as of yesterday had 160 Deaths, recoveries 2,287 and culminate infected are 7887.

Its unwise to try to uplift the curfew or extend time or open the areas which had been closed down due to economic ploy, the President has an obligation to protect the larger masses in this case those outside the areas which were classified as Covid19 hotspots i.e Nairobi with a partly 4Million and Mombasa 2 Million People against the rest of 40Million Kenyans.

Sustaining the Government  

We call for President to use several strategies in mitigating the situation, when the by Emperor Constantine XI under siege during the Conquest of Istanbul being locked down and bombardments happening every day against his kingdom, it reached a situation in which army and police were pushed to almost mutiny and possible surrender, the citizens on the other hand were facing food and medical stuffs scarcity, what the Emperor Constantine XI did was to mobilize resources from within his kingdom, first he pushed and demanded for his council to  give back their vast resources and monies towards the welfare of the state, which was under siege so as to be able to pay the army which was defending the kingdom, next he ventured to Churches in this case Catholic and directed all the golden and silvers cups and utensils be confiscated to melt the coins so as to be able to pay the army.

The Calls by the ignorant masses to uplift the curfew from 7-11 AM Midnight to 9 am to 11 Am midnity was uncalled for and ought to be rescheduled to 7-11 Am as this was the most effective way to stop masses from converging and transmitting the desease.

Simple research has indicated that areas where most people are getting infected are inside Public Toilets and bars, its on this front we call for immediate closure of all Public Toilets  and Bars till the country bends the curve.

The Kenya religious bodies should be sincere with their call for opening of places of worship, if what is happening to Italy-Rome,Al-Aqsa In Israel, and in Mecca,each convergence of multitude leaves a trail of new infections, will the churches be able to take care of the flock when everyone is sick ,the answer is a big NO.

Government 8 Point Economic Stimulus Program

To caution the vulnerable people and communities we call for focused assistance to household within the Covid19 Affected regions. The Government 8 Point Economic Stimulus Program must focus on household survey instruments will consist of Information on the Household Members, including: demographic (sex, age, education (school attendance, highest grade completed, health morbidity and mortality, fertility, labor, under-five malnutrition (child nutrition, delivery care, breastfeeding. Housing Conditions and Amenities: Tenure; type of dwelling; construction materials; household utilities; household assets and ICT ownership and services. c) Consumption and Expenditure: Consumption and expenditure on food items, regular non-food items and durable goods and services. d) Recent Shocks to Household Welfare: The information on household shocks, referred as negative economic and social impact on Household, resulting from an event/ occurrence that negatively affected the welfare of the household. e) Sources of income: Agricultural holdings /outputs, livestock, household enterprise, household transfers and credits.

Amendment to Public Health Act

We also call for Presidency to submit an Amendment of Public Health Act and place severe measures for those flouting the existing established World Health Organization guidelines which Kenya is a party to, some of these measures will encompass laws pertaining to those deliberately failing to properly wear masks, those deliberately failing to reinstall and supplying sanitizers in Hotels,Bars, Matatus and Public Transport Vehicles.

The amendment of Public Health Act must establish Sub Counties- Ward Health Committees elected through Nyumba Kumi Structures and communities within the wards, through Ward Health Committees they will be mandated to come up with measures that will be used to deter citizens from flauting or failing to adhere to Public Health Act.

As we await President announcement, we hope he has the country at his heart similar to Abraham on his son Isaac, since he means well to the nation, we hope God will give him a sheep to sacrifice, in this we request the President to extend the measures and don’t relent till we overcome.

Yours Faithfully.

Githinji Kamotho.

Director.

East Africa Climate Change Network