Yaya Centre, a popular shopping mall in Nairobi, will not allow unvaccinated Kenyans to access its premises from December 21.
This follows the directive issued by Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, who stated that Kenyans who will not have received the jab will not be allowed access to government services.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the mall's management referred to the directive issued on November 21 advising members to show proof of inoculation to access public places serving more than 50 people in a day.
Customers accessing the shopping mall will be mandated to show proof of vaccination in hard or soft copy and will be verified at the gate.
"Proof of vaccination will be verified at the entrances of the mall, it could be on soft or hard copy of the certificate," the statement read in part.
The mall further issued directives to shop owners to enforce the new regulations. They will be required to display signage communicating on the Kagwe directives.
Also roped in are tenants, their staff, suppliers consumers and contractors who will be accessing the facility. Security guards will be put in place to ensure that the new measures are adhered to the latter.
"We urge you to kindly assist us to ensure that the mall complies with the above government directives to facilitate ease of access especially during this busy festive season," the statement read.
Other public service providers, however, termed the directives as unattainable.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station, the Matatu Owners Association Chairman, Simon Kimutai, vowed to defy the directives requiring matatu operators (drivers and conductors) to produce proof of vaccination, terming them unrealistic.
"We have to be very practical, and at the same time it looks like a blackmail," Kimutai stated.
The matatu owners further told CS Kagwe that their businesses were private enterprises and that they should not be subjected to such measures. They further called on the government to offer incentives to people to ensure that as many as possible are vaccinated.
