President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Monday, April 6, announced new stiffer measures were to be enforced to ensure that the Covid-19 pandemic was contained.
In a presidential address from State House, Nairobi, the president announced that he would use any legal means necessary to secure the safety of the Kenyans.
He went on to reveal that the majority of persons who have contracted the disease were residents of the Nairobi Metropolitan area and the counties of Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa, and then read out several new measures to be effected immediately.
"There shall be the cessation of all movement by road, rail or air in and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties for a period of 21 days.
"We must escalate our response even more to safeguard our nation," he explained.
He went on to clarify that no passenger-carrying bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, vehicles, railway wagons, aircraft would be allowed within the highlighted counties.
The president also elaborated that the new 21-day containment within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area would be effected starting at 7 p.m. April 6, while the other 3 high-risk counties had until April 8, 7 p.m. before the new rules kicked in.
What does Nairobi Metropolitan Area mean?
To avoid any sort of mix-up, president Uhuru then went on to define the Nairobi Metropolitan area as follows:
1. Part of Kiambu up to Chania River Bridge in Thika including Rironi, Ndenduru and Kiambu Town.
2. Part of Machakos County up to Athi River including Katani
3. Part of Kajiado County including Kitengela, Kiserian, Ongata Rongai, Ngong Town and all areas as set out in the order.
His latest directive will effectively ensure a mandatory containment within the counties that were classified as high-risk areas.
"Ksh2 billion recovered from corrupt practices will be allocated to helping the financially unstable in urban areas," the president further announced.
He then warned Kenyans of the gravity of the situation, urging Kenyans to treat the matter with the seriousness it merits.
"This coronavirus does not care about religion, tribe or size of your wallet. Defeating it will require us to put aside our differences and stand together," he reiterated.
Watch the Presidential address below:
