Largely spared of the serious health consequences from the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, the crisis in Africa is now rapidly evolving into an economic and now, increasingly, a political crisis as constituents in a number of African countries express frustration over how their governments have handled the situation.

Kenya, in particular, highlights the escalating governance crisis.  The situation reached a climax last week soon after the China Southern flight from Guangzhou landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, sparking widespread fury online that the government seemed more interested in protecting trade and investment ties with China than the health of its own people.