This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 Response: President's Sixth Address ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation on May 16, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed over 300,000 lives globally as of that date.
Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Kenya, the country has recorded 830 confirmed infections and 50 deaths, with close to 30% of these recorded deaths occurring at home.
The President expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives to the disease, stating that the life of every Kenyan is precious.
He also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of Kenya's healthcare workers, who have discharged 301 individuals from health facilities after they registered full recovery since the onset of the pandemic.
However, the President warned that the pandemic is still a threat, and if no action is taken, all the gains achieved in combating it will be lost.
He noted that the number of imported cases among individuals crossing into the country through its borders has increased, with 43 cases recently crossing the border from neighboring Somalia and Tanzania.
The President announced that the government will step up its defense by deploying stricter, localized prevention actions and reviewing previous concessions and directives to ensure better compliance.
He directed that there shall be cessation of movement of persons and any passenger ferrying automobiles and vehicles into and out of the territory of the Republic of Kenya through the Kenya-Tanzania and Kenya-Somalia international borders, except for cargo vehicles, with effect from midnight on May 16, 2020.
He also directed that all drivers of cargo vehicles shall be subjected to mandatory COVID-19 disease testing and will only be granted entry into the territory of the Republic of Kenya if they test negative.
The nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew that is currently in force will be extended for a further period of 21 days up to and until June 6, 2020.
The cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and the Counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Mandera that is currently in force will also be extended up to and until June 6, 2020.
