COVID-19: Kenya suspends political rallies for 60 days

Nov 04, 2020

ELECTIONS|

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has suspended political gatherings and rallies for a period of 60 days effective immediately and directed anyone wishing to do such meetings to do so in town halls and limit attendees to 1/3rd sitting capacity of the hall.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday shortly after a meeting with the Council of Governors, Kenyatta directed all Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to scale down all in-person engagements and only engage through virtual means where possible.

He also directed that an individual without a mask should not be served.

Kenyatta also extended curfew hours from 10 pm — 4 am to January 3, 2021.

All bars, restaurants, and other establishments open to the public were also directed to close by 9 pm while hotels, restaurants, bars, and eateries operators were directed to do all that is necessary to ensure enhanced compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

All state and public officers aged above 58 years, or who are immuno-compromised, to work remotely. With the exemption of those serving the nation in critical sectors.

Kenyatta also directed all basic education classes to resume in-person learning in January 2021.

Kenya currently has 57,093 COVID-19 cases, 37,846 have recovered while the country has experienced 1,039 deaths.

Before the suspension of the political rallies, sections of Kenyan politicians led by Kenyatta's Deputy President William Ruto were engaged in 2022 campaigns aimed at replacing Kenyatta who is serving his last term.

Kenyatta, on the other hand together with the Opposition Chief Raila Odinga were engaged in the Building Bridges Initiative campaign aimed at amending the Constitution, which has put them at loggerheads with Ruto.

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