This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the cessation of movement in the country, but maintained the 9pm to 4am nationwide curfew. Addressing the nation from Harambee House in Nairobi, the President emphasized that Kenya was not out of the danger yet, but the path to reopening the economy would be a gradual one.
According to the President, the country had reached a reasonable level of preparedness across counties, but had not yet met the irreducible minimums of 100 per cent. He announced a phased reopening of the country, with the orders on cessation of movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties set to lapse on July 7, 2020.
However, the President warned against laxity in the observance of safety rules, stating that the order to reopen was given conditionally. If the situation deteriorated, the country would revert to lockdown. He also emphasized that individual behavior would determine the country's progress to returning to normalcy.
The President encouraged Kenyans to avoid non-essential upcountry travel, maintain social distancing, wash hands, sanitize, and be cautious when interacting with the elderly and those who are immunosuppressed. He also announced restrictions on places of worship, with only 100 worshippers allowed and sessions limited to one hour. Children below 13 years and the elderly were not allowed in places of worship.
Additionally, the President announced the resumption of local flights on July 15, in strict conformity with guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. International travel in and out of the country would resume on August 1, subject to the same guidelines and protocols.
He also extended restrictions on political gatherings and other gatherings by another 30 days, as well as restrictions on wedding and funeral attendance. The President urged Kenyans to exercise civic responsibility by curbing the spread of intercommunity spread of the virus.
He also announced that the National Crime Research Centres would probe Gender-Based Violence, children's rights violation, and girl child disempowerment.
