By Salim Mutuma
The government has banned political and social gatherings for 30 days following a surge in Covid-19 cases which has seen the positivity rate increase from 2 to 13 percent in two months.
During his address on the country’s Covid-19 situation, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the prohibition is meant to stem the chain of transmission and could be extended if the cases being reported daily do not reduce.
Mr Kenyatta also banned public ceremonies and directed the national government administration officers jointly with the National Police Service and county government enforcement officers to enforce the order regardless of the political and social status of the convenors of the political gatherings.
“Public and social gatherings are hereby prohibited for 30 days effective midnight of March 12 to break the chain of transmission. The escalation or de-escalation of the containment measure is dependent on whether the national endeavour to break the transmissions will be achieved,” said Mr Kenyatta.
The Head of State directed that funerals, cremations and other interment ceremonies be conducted within three days of confirmation of death.
The number of those attending funerals and cremation ceremonies has been limited to the immediate family of the deceased and the number capped at 100 similar to that of those attending weddings and other traditional unions and rites.
He made the pronouncements when 750 people tested positive for the disease out of a sample size of 6264 bringing the total cumulative cases to 111, 935. Two patients succumbed to the disease.
While appealing to Kenyans to strictly adhere to Covid-19 protocols, the President extended the curfew for further 60 days and directed that bars, restaurants and other establishments close by 9pm.
Mr Kenyatta ordered that all isolation facilities in the country be well-maintained and counties to enhance investment in piped and portable oxygen to isolation and critical care treatment facilities for the management of severe cases.
The President also conveyed best wishes to Grade Four, Class Eight and Form Four candidates across the country saying “I pray that your efforts will bear a bountiful harvest”
