A Gazette notice dated Monday, April 6, formally introduced a Ksh 20,000 penalty or 6-month imprisonment for any Kenyan found in public without a face mask.
This directive has galvanised citizens to go in search of the necessary item with limited knowledge on the specificities of the masks that can offer maximum protection.
Some Kenyan politicians have, however, provided sufficient inspiration for the different kinds of masks Kenyans can opt for, albeit unsupported by Ministry of Health guidelines, with their selected masks rivaling in strangeness and originality.
Oparanya's 'Shield'
Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya showcased his unique taste in the accessory while addressing the media on the Saturday, April 11.
Spotting what seemed to be a cross between a face shield and a mouth guard, many were left wondering if the Governor's elected choice could indeed protect him from contracting the virus.
The mask however bears some similarity to the tiny face shields given to babies in Thailand to protect them from contracting coronavirus.
A report published by TIME Magazine on April 11, explained that the face shields would offer the babies short-term protection while they travelled from the hospital to their homes.
The 'cat burglar'
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was not left behind in selecting a face mask to raise eyebrows during a donation drive he launched on Saturday, April 11.
Seemingly inspired by cat burglars, Babu opted for a full face mask with a slit cut out for the eyes.
The full face mask goes beyond the aspirations of ordinary face masks and shields not only the nose and mouth but the ears, forehead and hair as well leaving nothing to chance.
The Sonko Way
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko chartered the path towards the eccentric masks long before there were penalties for not spotting one.
The governor's debut in his own outlandish facemask was made on March 28 when he paired the health item with what appeared to be a virtual reality headset but was revealed to be a head and eye massager.
Sonko spotted the gear while addressing the media as he led a fumigation exercise in the city.
Kenyans should however not feel pressured to emulate their elected leaders in their choice of face masks with a simple cloth mask proving sufficient to protect one from the virus.
These can be cleaned and reused with the Centre for Disease Control recommending sterilising the facemasks with bleach.
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that most of these masks were retailing at between Ksh50 and Ksh100 though some unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the situation and selling the items at Ksh200 or more.
Nominated Youth Representative Gideon Keter speaking to Kenyans.co.ke called out such practices as dishonest and urged the government to regulate the price of the commodity.
"Local manufacturing firms that are selling mask more than Ksh150 are just but thieves. A mask should never be sold at a cost more than a kilo of sugar or unga. Regulations should follow if we want everyone to wear masks," stated Keter.
