Uhuru extends curfew by 30 days, bars to remain closed

President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) has extended nationwide curfew by another 30 days even as he noted a decrease in Covid-19 infections in the country.

Currently, the curfew runs from 9pm to 4am daily.

In new orders following a review of the pandemic in Kenya, and in his eleventh national address on the pandemic, the president has also extended the closure of bars and night clubs for another 30 days.

The ban on the sale of alcohol by licensed restaurants with residence has also been lifted.

“In the next 30 days, bar owners, in consultation with the Ministry of Health will develop self-regulating mechanisms as part of their civic responsibility to their clientele, in order to allow their resumption,” Uhuru directed.

The maximum number of persons allowed to attend funerals and weddings has been extended from 15 to 100. All persons are however required to observe the Covid-19 protocols as stipulated by the Ministry of Health.

The closing time for restaurants and eateries has been increased to 8pm from 8am effective tomorrow, Thursday.

The president has also lifted the countrywide second-hand clothes ban, adding that details of how this will be operated will be announced tomorrow.

 The president noted that Kenyans had taken the pandemic’s challenge seriously and “more importantly partnering with the government, infections have gotten to a manageable level.

He added: “In fact, we are reporting more recoveries in some instances than infections.  Hot spots like Mombasa and Nairobi have begun to stabilize.”

He said experts had indicated that levels of positivity rate country-wide had fallen from 13 per cent in June to 8 per cent in August 2020 which meant Kenya had a chance to reach the 5 per cent positivity rate recommended by the World Health Organization for total re-opening.

He has also directed Interior CS Fred Matiang’i in conjunction with the chairperson of the Council of Governors to convene an inclusive National Consultative Conference in three weeks, to review the national and county Covid-19 response, in order to chart Kenya’s post-Covid future.

Both Sports and Health Ministry will also issue guidelines on the gradual resumption of sporting events. 

On the Kemsa Covid equipment scam, he said, there will be no mercy for corrupt officials found guilty in the alleged impropriety in the acquisition of Covid-19  protective gear.

Uhuru has further ordered that all relevant authorities tasked with investigating corruption to expedite the process and conclude probe into the matter within 21 days.

“In line with our stated public policy on Zero Tolerance to Corruption, all persons found to be prima facie culpable as a result of those investigations should be brought to book, notwithstanding the public office they hold, or their political or social status,” he asserted.

On August 14, three top Kemsa managers were suspended following a probe into claims of impropriety in the acquisition of Covid-19 equipment.

Chief Executive Officer Jonah Manjari, Procurement Director Charles Juma and his Commercial counterpart Eliud Muriithi are being investigated in relation to among others, controversial Sh7.7 billion tender for the emergency procurement of Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that was to be delivered by July 22, 2020.

The agency has dominated the headlines lately following claims of questionable tenders awarded to powerful individuals. EACC is also investigating the construction of a warehouse by Kemsa at Sh5 billion.

On July 27, the president extended the curfew for another 30 days but relaxed the hours to between 9pm and 4am from 7pm to 5am. He cited increased Covid-19 infections which he said have risen since he eased the pandemic’s containment measures on July 6, 2020.

The president had addressed the nation from Statehouse Nairobi, after meeting all governors.

Uhuru then further directed there would be no sale of alcohol effective for 30 days in eateries and bars across the country.

President Uhuru had also directed that all bars would be closed until further notice. The Head of State then directed Inspector General  Hillary Mutyambai to withdraw permanently operating licenses of all bars that would breach of the regulations.

In the July address, the tenth on the Covid crisis,  he also ordered the IG not to spare any politician who would breach the Ministry of Health protocols. "All measures will be for all Kenyans regardless of an individual’s status," he directed.

He also directed police to enforce Ministry of Health guidelines in public gatherings and funerals.