We are not prohibiting you from buying alcohol from supermarkets or wines and spirits — Mutahi Kagwe

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday said the government has not prohibited buying alcohol from supermarkets.

While giving the daily Covid-19 update, CS Kagwe, however, called for responsible behaviour since Covid is now domiciled in the community.

He maintained that the prohibition of sale of alcohol in eateries is to encourage social distancing.

“The prohibition of sale of alcohols in eateries and restaurants is to encourage social distance… You will still be contravening the law if you turn your home to ‘Karumaindo’…

“This does not mean that you can take your alcohol to those places,” said Kagwe.

Adding: “If you buy alcohol and take home with a bunch of people you will be contravening the regulations and will be liable for punishment.”

Kagwe also warned wines and spirits against allowing people to use their parking lots to drink, saying those found guilty will face the law.

The Health CS noted that in recent days many young people have tested positive for Covid-19, and he attributed this to the increase in house parties and drinking sprees.

This comes just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta said no eateries/restaurants will be allowed to sell alcohol.

In a tough warning, the president said those found flouting the new directive will have their licenses cancelled.

“I order the Inspector-General of Police to file a weekly report on bars whose licenses have been withdrawn, no non-essential worker should be allowed to go against the curfew rules, these rules apply to all Kenyans,” he added.

President Kenyatta urged Kenyans to be responsible and adhere to all protocols put in place by the Ministry of Health such as wearing masks, keeping social distance and sanitizing regularly.

“We need to be serious by adhering to all the containment measures such as wearing masks, social distancing and frequent sanitising of hands,” he said.