Government easies lockdown protocols as Kenyans caught unawares

Vehicles passing the Mau Summit police Road block after Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna announced an extension of the restrictions for 24 hours on March 27,2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The government has given people up to tomorrow 8pm to move in and out of the five counties put on lockdown.

Operations of the Madaraka Standard Gauge Railway and local airlines in and out of the zoned area were extended to Monday at noon.

Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna yesterday said a review of the presidential directive on the containment measures issued on Friday will offer a transition window to Kenyans who were caught off-guard by the announcement.

President Uhuru Kenyatta banned movement by road, rail, or air in and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru counties, which have the highest disease burden.

“We are aware that there are many individuals who might have been caught unawares and so locked in or out of the zoned areas for one reason or another. Those people will be allowed to move back or to move out of the zoned area until Sunday evening by curfew time,” said Oguna.

Partial lockdown

The transition window allowed students who were caught up in the partial lockdown after learning was suspended to travel to their home counties.

Oguna said students sitting their examinations will be facilitated to travel in collaboration with school administration, and the ministries of education and interior.

“Those with SGR or air tickets will be allowed to use them until Monday midday beyond which all SGR and domestic flights will be suspended,” he added.

Oguna said international flights will continue but travellers must have Covid-19 Negative PCR certificate obtained 96 hours before travel. “Domestic flights have only been suspended in and out of the five counties. That means one can fly from Mombasa to Wajir,” he clarified.

The reviewed Covid-19 protocols came after uproar by Kenyans who were caught unawares over the sudden announcement on the partial lockdown that led to mad rush as thousands scrambled to move in and out of Nairobi by Friday midnight. 

Police roadblocks will be in several places on the highways including Blue Post in Thika, Isinya in Kajiado, Katumani in Machakos and Kinungi along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. 

At the same time he called on Kenyans to report police officers asking for bribes so as to issue the necessary clearance letters.

“These measures are meant to fight the spread of Covid-19 but not punish anyone,” he added.