President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, March 26 reintroduced travel restrictions this time targetting five counties - Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
In his address, the head of state noted that the counties recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases and collectively declared them a disease-infected area and thereby instituting cessation of movement in and out of the area.
From his directive, it was not immediately clear whether residents in the one zoned area could move across borders, say a Nairobian travelling to Nakuru via Kiambu.
State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita took to clarify the government's directive explaining that residents of the five counties could freely across county borders within the area.
He, however, stated that a resident in the counties could not move outside the area to other counties.
"Kindly note that the cessation of movement is in and out of the 5 counties (Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado) as One Zoned Area.
"You can therefore move freely within the five counties. You will not however be able to leave and enter the One Zoned Area," he stated.
A Nairobi resident can access Thika Town in Kiambu county or even travel to Athi River in Machakos County as long as they are within the one zone area.
Similarly, a Rongai resident in Kajiado county can access Nairobi CBD within the restrictions, the same for a Syokimau resident.
Uhuru, during his address, stated that 70% of Kenya’s reported cases of Covid-19 emanated from the five counties.
He revised the curfew hours for the five counties directing that the curfew commences at 8 p.m. and end at 4 a.m.
For the rest of the country, the curfew hours were maintained between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Operations of bars were suspended in the counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu and Nakuru with the sale of alcohol in restaurants and eateries prohibited.
"All restaurants and eateries in the Counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Nakuru shall provide takeaway services only," Uhuru ordered.
He also ordered for all public gatherings, in-person meetings as well as congregational worship to be suspended within the counties until further notice.
