Matiang’i clarifies that curfew earlier announced by President will run until May 29

By Winfridah Muthee

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday announced that the ongoing curfew will run until May 29, 2021.

Matiang’i said the curfew hours and cessation of movement announced last month by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the five zoned counties including Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos and Nakuru will now run until May 29.

This is both for the disease infected zone and the rest of the country. The infected zones curfew run from 8pm to 4am while the rest of the country from 10pm to 4am.

‘’This order shall apply during the hours of darkness between eight o’clock in the evening and four o’clock in the morning with effect from the 29th March 2021 and shall remain in effect for a period of sixty days thereof,” part of a revised gazette notice reads.

He further added that there will be no public gatherings, processions or movement either alone or as a group during the extended period in a bid to tame the spread of Covid-19.

The only persons exempted from the curfew orders are those with written permission from a county police boss or an OCPD as well as all those listed as providers of essential service.

The President in his directives last month ordered the extension of curfew hours and cessation of movement in the disease infected zone covering five counties. He however did not give a timeline for the curfews only noting that the restrictions will stay in place “until otherwise notified.”

The restrictions came a week ahead of Easter weekend, when many Kenyans travel to upcountry to celebrate Easter with their extended families.

President Kenyatta had also revoked all issued curfew passes and exemptions saying;

“This is in light of the abuse of curfew passes and exemptions and its role in the steep increase in infections,” the President then offered.