Government suspends political gatherings,curfew extended

President Uhuru Kenyatta has on Wednesday suspended all political gatherings and rallies for 60 days.

Addressing the nation after holding a meeting with counties’ leadership on matters COVID-19,he said the political rallies have been taking place with no observance to containment measures.

The Head of state calling on leaders to be role models by adhering to the measures.

“I hereby order that all political gatherings and rallies suspended for a period of 60 days” he said.

Meanwhile,the national dusk to dawn curfew has been extended to 3rd January 2021.

However,the curfew hours now stands at 10pm to 4am.

The government has also ordered that all bars and restaurants that had been opened to public to only operate up to 9pm daily.

The operators at the bars,restaurants and liquor selling points to ensure compliance or risk licenses being revoked.

In addition,all Cabinet Secretaries,Chief administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries now ordered to scale down engagement within government to virtual.

Public service servants of 58 years and above will now be allowed to operate from.

On Education,the government has directed that all candidates continue with their learning while basic education classes resume in January 2021.

The President urging MPs to engage NGAAF and CDF Boards towards reopening of schools.

He says the Boards should now focus on enhancing hand-washing points,facemasks and general sanitation in schools.

While reiterating the need for better coordination between levels of governments,the President has directed that counties maintain isolation bed capacity.

And in Counties where there will be upsurge of COVID-19 cases,the national government will engage the specific county and might declare lockdown and other restrictions.

The government has also commenced a campaign dubbed ‘No mask,no services’.

The President says this will help in ensuring members of the public wear masks while in public places.

“Services will not be offered on people who do not observe protocols.No mask,no services” he said.

The Ministry of Interior also tasked to constitute a special inclusive enforcement unit to enforce protocol.

President Uhuru calls for concerted African effort against COVID-19

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged African countries to collaborate more in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic through information sharing and pooling of intervention resources.

Speaking during a virtual meeting of the African Union Bureau of the Assembly with the Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), President Kenyatta appreciated the support Africa has received from the international community but emphasized the need for the continent to stand together in the fight against Covid-19 saying unity will ensure better results.

“I want to say that we need to be able to work together and to pool whatever little resources we have and show that we are also capable of coming together to defeat this virus.

“I also believe that at the end of the day it is going to take each and every one of us individually and collectively to win this war and not necessarily depending 100 percent on our friends from the outside world coming to support us,” President Kenyatta said.

He said African leaders need to understand that countries the world over are overwhelmed by the pandemic pointing out that even the richest nations are struggling to meet demands brought about by Covid-19.

He pointed out that African nations need to move with speed in mobilizing and deploying resources to support countries in the fight against Covid-19.
So far, African countries led by South Africa and Egypt have pledged 61 million US Dollars for the fight against the virus on the continent.

“As we continue to fight this pandemic which continues to pose an existential threat to many of our countries, I also believe that there are encouraging signs if we continue to stay the course, remain focused, vigilant and more importantly disciplined,” he said.

Other leaders who participated in the meeting included Presidents Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Egypt), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Idriss Deby (Chad), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC), Ali Bongo Ondimba (Gabon), Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Mali) and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat

 

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