Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Thursday, November 5, directed that anyone found flouting the Covid-19 rules, would pay an instant fine of Ksh20,000.
Mutyambai announced that he had directed his officers to avoid arresting those flouting Covid-19 rules but impose cash fines in order to avoid jail congestion.
In a statement to newsrooms by the Inspector General, he stated that the National Police Service (NPS) would work closely with the national government, administration officers and county governments Enforcement Teams to ensure total compliance with the rule of law.
"I have directed National Police Service officers to enforce curfew orders from 10:00pm to 4:00am without fear or favour and with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs)," reads an excerpt of the statement.
Mutyambai stated that officers would work with the National Transport Service Authority (NTSA) to cancel licenses of motorists flouting curfew hours.
Accordingly, the police service appealed to Kenyans to wear face masks, practice social distance while in public and avoid necessary travel.
On the other hand, owners of restaurants, bars and other public places were advised to close shops by 9pm.
"The NPS shall support County Governments to close down restaurants, bars and shops which will not adhere to the set regulations," reads the statement.
The directive to the police officers came just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta laid out new measures that would help curb the spread of Covid-19.
The new changes were influenced by a spike in Covid-19 cases experienced over the last 38 days.
The Head of State revealed that hospital beds occupancy had shot up by 140% announcing that 15,000 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in October alone.
"October has gone down as the most tragic month since the pandemic struck the country in March. 38 days later after reopening of the economy, we have experienced a reversal of our gains. The infection icon rate has gone up 140%. The positivity rate is now at 16%," stated Uhuru.
