"We're not prisoners at all, but let's say... voluntarily confined in a huge gilded cage."
Stefania Livi, a Milanese designer who lives in Malindi where she has her "Wild Side Shop" boutique and where she usually spends at least 10 months a year, is one of the many compatriots who do not feel "stuck" in Kenya and who do not need to give any reason to ask our government to return to Italy.
Mind you, we consider legitimate the requests of holidaymakers and also Italian residents who in this period would like to return to their homeland and especially those (few) who have been betrayed by the very short time in which the Kenyan Government has been able to act to contain the epidemic and have had their flights cancelled without making time to book new ones.
"Surely I'm here mainly because this is my home - explains Stefania - It's true that in this period I usually go to Italy to see my family and to shop for future production. But who makes me do it now? I should do the quarantine in Milan, alone, in an apartment without even a balcony. Here instead I have a certain freedom of movement and I can hang out with my friends freely. I can even play golf, which is a passion of mine. In addition, I have the responsibility of my employees who I'm making work in spite of everything, even if at reduced hours, counting on the return of the tourists".
Stefania is echoed by another Lombard D.O.C., the President of the NGO Karibuni Gianfranco Ranieri.
He is not a resident of Kenya, he usually comes and goes to follow the solidarity activities of his non-profit organization.
"Surely better to live here in this period than in Lombardy - admits Ranieri - and not only for the climate and because this magical place is now a bit 'home, but also at equal risk, I would have chosen the freedom and acceptable restrictions that Kenya has put in place that, if they are respected, are more logical and well-concerted than the Italian ones. Among other things, staying here allows me to continue the work of helping the local populations of the hinterland of Malindi, where we operate, at a time not easy for them".
Even those who work in the hospitality sector at the moment, prefer to stay in Kenya and perhaps even feel more protected here.
"For now, the crisis is relatively severe because usually during this period we enter the low season - explains Daniele Tiritò, General Manager of the Jacaranda Resort in Watamu - but even if I could return to Italy to visit relatives and take a well-deserved vacation, I don't think I would. It's definitely better here in this period than in Italy. Maybe calmly, if there's a chance in June, we'll see. And then we'll get ready for the next tourist season, we don't know when we'll leave, but we'll be ready with all the post-Covid-19 crises. We are already adapting the buffets to the social distances and thinking about how to adapt the hotel according to what will be the rules to be respected".
Gianni Fasola is a pensioner, so he has no business or particular passions to stay in Kenya. He doesn't sail in gold, he has a little house to rent all year round but usually from April to July he goes home to his sister.
"From the initial stories of what was happening in my part of the country, in Emilia - explains Gianni - I had no doubts and I decided not to confirm the return flight. It's great here, I can go out for a walk, I go shopping without queues and the only deprivation is that of the beach. But considering what our armored countrymen are experiencing at home, we would also miss me complaining".
I have been in Kenya for over twenty years and working in the tourism sector during this period I usually plan my holiday to come back to Italy to see the family and to make some trips.
Sabina Vivaldi, owner of the Boutique Hotel in Malindi Cozy Point Home, has made a choice that she is far from regretting, even at a time like this.
This year I chose not to come back because I feel very safe in Kenya," explains Sabina, a professional in the sector. "Cases are growing very little every day and we have created a chain of solidarity and collaboration with the Covid-19 Prevention and Education Task Force, which has enabled us to reach a grandiose target of zero cases in the Malindi, Watamu and Mambrui area. Personally as Cozy Point Home we are expanding with a new construction to increase the space for events and the number of beds. We are making an additional swimming pool and doubling the garden because we are confident that this country can offer a unique travel experience for international tourism. 
The experience of living a safari and discovering the wonderful beaches of the Indian Ocean will continue to attract the interest of travelers who will now more than ever look for wonderful places and villas that, thanks to the large spaces, will allow to offer a tailor-made service with total compliance with the safety and hygiene standards required from the moment.  We can't wait for the air traffic to open to welcome as soon as possible the first African guests and towards winter our dear Italian friends who love this country so much that they return here every year".
Maurizio Mogavero, owner of the Baby Marrow Restaurant, at this time of the season in recent years was always open and in the evening remained one of the reference points for the Malindini and also for those arriving from outside. This year he would have had time to catch a plane and return to Italy, waiting for better times to leave again, but he didn't even consider the idea.
"It's fine here, and from what I read about our country, I feel more involved in what is happening, more informed - says the restaurateur - the situation is quiet, we relate daily and the Government is moving really well, without excessive alarmism and knowing its limits. We are waiting to start again, strong even of the good season lived until the pandemic has not overturned the cards".
Roberto Lenzi, a Roman entrepreneur who owns two resorts in Watamu and Paparemo Beach, also chose to stay in Kenya in March.
"Fewer restrictions here than in Italy - he admits - this magical place always gives the right serenity even in difficult times. If anything, the words of our Minister of Foreign Affairs, who implied that AIRE registered residents who pay taxes in the countries where they work and not Italians, would be second class citizens and would not deserve a state flight even in case of emergency, have been annoyed. What are these stories? Italians are Italians, both tourists and residents and workers abroad. In any case, we are preparing for the return of tourists, and hopefully in a few months even those Italians who have chosen Kenya en masse again this year will return optimism in the Tour Operators with whom we work. All this, clearly, before the damn virus".
The chorus closes with Marco Cavalli, one of the few who are still working on the coast of Kenya. His market of Italian products is one of the activities that can stay open, offering essential consumer goods.
"But it is certainly not for this reason that my wife Patricia and I are still here - explains Cavalli - every year we return to Italy where we have a home and family to embrace again. But we have willingly accepted the situation like so many of our fellow countrymen. There are also those who have serious reasons to return to their country as soon as possible, especially economic ones. But it would be difficult to find a better situation of livability and freedom, so in the end I am convinced that even in the presence of a state return flight many people will decide to stay here".