President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday extended the 10.00 PM to 4.00AM curfew in Kenya for 60 days on concerns of rising cases of COVID-19.
In an address to the nation at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said escalating COVID-19 containment measures in the past has helped reduce cases of infection.
“When we escalated measures in July 2020, the positivity rate fell from 13% in June to 4% in September. And when we relaxed the measures in September 2020, the positivity rate rose to its highest level in November 2020 at 19%,” said President Kenyatta. “In January this year, the positivity rate was at 2%, partly because of the civic duty and responsibility of our citizens. But by March this year, it has climbed to 13% and is still rising.”
He extended the curfew for another 60 days, directing that “all bars, restaurants, and other establishments open to the public, must, close by 9.00 p.m.
He offered exemption of curfew to essential service providers and factories and construction sites to operate night shifts.
The president further banned all political gatherings for a period 30 days effective Friday. He said: “I, hereby further direct the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) jointly with the National Police Service and County Governments Enforcements Officers to strictly enforce this Public Order regardless of the social and political status of the convenors of the political gatherings.”
The head of state directed that the dead be buried within 72 hours of death confirmation. “Cremations and other interment ceremonies, it is directed that these ceremonies shall be conducted strictly within 72 hours of confirmation of death,” he ordered.
He also limited the number of those to attend interment and wedding ceremonies to 100 people while those at places of worship were capped to a third of the capacity.
President Kenyatta dispelled rumors and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine noting that the “vaccine has been tested and our medical experts are persuaded that its safety profile is bankable.”
While noting that the vaccine is being rolled out in phases, he said the vaccine is being administered to those willing to take the jab. “The vaccine roll out will be done in phases as guided by the National Deployment Vaccination Plan (NDVP); with the first phase targeting front line health workers, uniformed personnel, and teachers. The second phase will target the elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions. And, I must make it clear; the vaccination is voluntary,” said President Kenyatta during the 14th Presidential address on the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic suppressed Kenya’s economic growth to 0.6% in 2020, against a projection of 6.2%. “This translates to a loss of approximately Ksh 560 billion of GDP arising from the resultant economic downturn,” he added.
The Head of State however said the Kenyan economy was more resilient when compared to other economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and the world over.
“If our economy grew by +0.6%, the global economy grew at a rate of -3.5%, that of the Euro Area by -7.2%, the United Kingdom by -10% and sub- Sahara African economies grew by at a negative rate of 2.6%,” he observed. “This means that economies around the world shrunk, but Kenya’s did not despite our major sacrifices.”