Director of Public Health speaks on notice addressing ban on alcohol consumption

Public Health Director Dr Francis Kuria on Tuesday refused to be drawn into a notice on the ban on alcohol consumption in public.

The draft document had been widely shared on social media but Dr Kuria said it does not have a legal notice number.

“We cannot talk about a notice that has no legal notice number. It's a draft that should be under the office of the AG.

“Once it becomes a legal document then we can discuss it further,” he said.

The draft states that alcoholic drinks will not be sold to sit-in customers in restaurants and anyone who goes against that will have committed an offense.

It further states that any business establishment that sells alcohol shall operate between 9am and 7.30pm.

The draft also states that no one should consume any alcoholic drink in a public space.

Despite the government instructing all bars to remain closed, some have been in operation, a move CS Health Kagwe said will contribute to the surge in Covid-19 cases.

All bars found in operation risk losing their licenses for good and the owners will face the full force of the law.

This comes as the country recorded 397 cases, taking the national tally to 14168.

Out of the 397, 236 are male and 161 are females.

Kenya’s death toll also rose to 250 after 12 more patients succumbed to the virus.

On a more positive note, 642 were discharged.