Uhuru hints at relaxing curfew rules

What you need to know:

  • The President declared that once the curfew is lifted, the obligation will shift to the population.

  • The curfew was also followed by a decree for a cessation of movements into Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted that he may relax the curfew and the cessation of movement in several counties.

This means the tough conditions Kenyans have had to endure in the last 49-days could end soon.

Speaking when he unveiled the Sh54 billion economic recovery plan, the President declared that the curfew and the lockdown cannot continue forever and that he will soon issue a decree of easing the measures.

PROTECT LIVES

“I have told health officials and my ministers that they should start telling Kenyans that we cannot be under a curfew or lockdown forever. We cannot keep on telling Kenyans to stay at home, or that they should not tend to their business or even go to work,” the President said when he addressed the nation from State House, Nairobi on Saturday.

President Kenyatta issued a nationwide dusk to dawn curfew on March 27 saying the National Security Council had the measures to protect the life and health of the citizens.

On April 25, the President extended the curfew by an extra 21 days which he extended by a further 21 days on May 17.

The curfew was also followed by a decree for a cessation of movements into Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.

Recently, cessation of movement was extended to Eastleigh suburb in Nairobi and Old town in Mombasa

The President said the many states are grappling with how to reopen their economies, shattered by the Covid-19 pandemic that has so far claimed more than 300, 000 across the world and slowed down the global economy.

OPEN ECONOMY

“The only way to get out of this situation is to ensure that we open the economy,” he said, insisting that the population must strictly follow the measures and protocols announced by the government to help fight the disease that has infected more than 1,190 Kenyans and left 50 others dead.

“You have an obligation to yourself and others. If we finally make the decision to open, let it be clear that if you don’t comply with the measures and protocols, you may end up hurting others,” he said.

“When we open up, the disease will definitely spread. And it will not spread because the government will not have done its part, but because you will not have complied with the protocols.”

The President declared that once the curfew is lifted, the obligation will shift to the population.

“It will be upon you to ensure that you protect yourself, your loved ones and those you work with,” he said.