Curfew Ends in Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the lifting of the 10pm-4am Covid-19  containment curfew.

President Uhuru lifted the curfew with immediate effect during the 58th Mashujaa Day Celebration at the Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga county on October 20^th, 2021.

“I hereby order that the nationwide dusk to dawn curfew that has been in effect from March 27, 2020, be and is hereby vacated with immediate effect,” President Uhuru said.

Uhuru said the move follows a review of the containment measures by the National Emergency Response Committee and the National Security Council.

He said it had been established that the surge in infections had decreased to below two per cent in the last two weeks.

He said the council will however continue to monitor the situation across borders before the full reopening of the economy.

Uhuru said following the review, the number of those attending worship services across the country has been increased from the current one third to two-thirds of the congregation.

“I want to thank all of us for being your brother’s keeper.… we are not yet out of the woods but I order and direct that the nationwide dusk to dawn curfew be vacated immediately,” Uhuru said.

The President had hinted at lifting the curfew that was imposed in 2020 as one of the containment measures against the spread of Covid-19.

Uhuru was responding to Karatina residents who had urged him to lift the curfew, saying it had made life difficult.

“We will look at it, I’m working, and very soon, you will hear it, I do not want to speak too early but very soon,” he said amid cheers.

Reacting to the president’s move, Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi said that the lifting the curfew was a good step in reopening the economy and would give a life line to businesses that have suffered due to coronavirus pandemic.

“Thank you Mr President for listening to the pleas of many hardworking Kenyans including myself. This is a good step towards opening up the economy & giving a life line to the businesses that have suffered during this period,” Mudavadi said.

The ANC boss, however, urged Kenyans to continue adhering to his Covid-19 regulations and go get the Covid-19 jab to prevent the country from going back to lockdown.

“Let us continue adhering to the Covid regulations and get vaccinated to avoid going back into lockdown as we forge ahead,” he said.