Matiang’i Extends Curfew to May 29 in Revised Notice

The curfew in both the one-zoned area and the rest of the country will continue until May 29 following a revised Kenya Gazzette Notice by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The infected zones curfew – for Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru – runs from 8pm to 4am while the curfew in the rest of the country runs from 10pm to 4am. In his address on March 26, President Uhuru Kenyatta did not announce a timeline for the curfews, only stating that the restrictions would stay in place in place “until otherwise notified.”

The initial Legal Notice issued on March 29 had stated that the 8pm to 4am curfew would would be in place for 30 days.

In the Gazette Notice dated April 12, Matiang’i said the curfew will be in place for 60 days effective March 29, 2021.

The move comes amid pressure on the government to ease Covid-19 restrictions which have affected livelihoods of those dependent on industries such as hospitality, travel, sports and entertainment.

READ ALSO>>>>>Second Lockdown and What It Means For Every Kenyan

In the revised notice, the government notably included on the curfew exemption list children protection service providers and operators of safe shelters and safe spaces for sexual and gender-based violence survivors.

It also included advocates – after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) moved to court to challenge the exclusion of lawyers from service providers exempt from travelling past curfew hours.

LSK had noted that clients needed legal representation at all times.

All public gatherings or processions remain suspended as well, with the State keen on taming the increase in Covid-19 infections.

The announcements come as  hospitals reported serious inadequacy of space for patients and Intensive Care beds for critical cases.

READ>>>>>EDITORIAL: To Safeguard Livelihoods, Unlock Sports and Entertainment in Kenya