In a bid to step up measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Parliament staff have been ordered to stay away from the premises for at least seven days, placing it under partial lockdown.
In a communication issued to members on July 17, by National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai, the directive was to minimise chances of new infections among the Parliamentary fraternity.
“All other offices will remain closed including MPs’ offices within Parliament. You are, therefore, required to advise all officers working under you accordingly,” he stated.
In an earlier notice, House Speaker Justin Muturi had directed that all committee sittings be suspended until July 28, advocating for virtual deliberations instead.
“Thereafter, committees will only operate virtually as per guidance above. Arrangements should, therefore, be made for full virtual proceedings of committees before resumption,” he stated in the notice on July 15.
The move will allow for fumigation and the disinfection of the buildings and MPs’ offices.
The new measures come two weeks after the House speaker confirmed that two MPs had tested positive. Those who had come into contact with the positive cases were directed to self-isolate.
While outlining the new guidelines, Muturi directed that the main chamber, which has a capacity of 349 MPs to hold 70 lawmakers so as to meet the 1.5-metre social distance requirement.
During a session, members were instructed not to change seats or move close to one another as well as thorough disinfection upon vacation of a seat.
At the same time, MPs and parliamentary employees aged 58 and abve, those with medical conditions as well as those who are expectant or lactating were advised to work from home due to their vulnerability.
A number of polticians have been exposed for callously disregarding the Covid-19 guidelines with Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja being detained over the weekend for being found outside past curfew hours.
Other leaders include Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
As of July 20, the total Covid-19 cases recorded were 13,771 with 246,361 tests done since March 2020.
