President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, March 25, addressed the nation on new measures the government was putting in place to combat the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Key among them was a nationwide curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. effective Friday, March 27, to be observed by all Kenyans save for a select group of workers providing essential services.
"Effective 27th March 2020 a daily curfew of between 7 p.m and 5 a.m. shall be in effect all over Kenya. With all movement by persons not being medical professionals, health workers and essential service providers being prohibited between those hours," the president stated
The head of state provided that the curfew would enable the country to get "ahead of the curve" in combating the spread of the virus that by Thursday, March 26, had claimed over 22,000 lives with over 3 billion people across the world under lockdown.
“Defeating this pandemic demands cooperation, collaboration and common action. More than that, it calls for unity and shared understanding, strict adherence to the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies, and the adoption by every person of measures that will contain the spread of the virus,” he stated.
Below is the list of essential service providers exempt from the 10-hour curfew.
- Medical professionals and health workers
- National security, administration and coordination officers
- Public health and sanitation officers in county governments
- Licensed pharmacies and drug stores
- Licensed broadcasters and media houses
- Kenya Power and Lighting Company
- Food dealers, distributors and wholesalers of farm produce
- Licensed supermarkets, mini markets and hypermarkets
- Licensed distributors and retailers of petroleum oil products and lubricants
- Licensed telecom operators and service providers
- Licensed banks, financials institutions and service providers
- The fire brigade and other emergency responsive services
- Licensed security firms
The president conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to providers of essential services for remaining selfless in carrying out their duties, something he said kept the country forging forward amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
"I also wish to recognise and thank all Kenyans serving critical and essential services sectors for their excellent efforts which have ensured continuity of supply chains and provision of essential and critical services", he stated.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi protested the exclusion of legal services in the government's list of service providers exempted from the curfew stating that the rule of law would be compromised.
"Exclusion of legal services in GoK’s enumeration of critical and essential services prejudices employers and employees in the sector. The rule of law will also be compromised. LSK has raised this concern with the Judiciary. We will revert with a solution shortly," a statement published on his Twitter accounts reads.
Kenya confirmed 3 more cases of Covid-19 on March 25, bringing the total to 28. Additionally, Kenya recorded the first full recovery on the same date.
