Kagwe issues tough decree pushing Kenyans to get vaccinated
As a way of boosting COVID-19 vaccines uptake in the country, the Ministry of Health has issued a directive that no unvaccinated Kenyan will be able to receive in-person government services beginning December 21.
Unvaccinated adult citizens will be unable to access the Kenya Revenue Authority, education, immigration, hospital services. Further, prison visitations will only be a preserve of the vaccinated.
Kenyans who have not received the shot will also be barred from the registration and transfer of motor vehicles under NTSA as well as access to port services.
While issuing the decree on Sunday, the Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe announced that Kenyans will also be required to provide proof of full vaccination when seeking travel services including domestic flights, the railway, and when boarding public service vehicles.
This will also apply to drivers, conductors, boda boda riders, pilots, and cabin crew, who will be required to be fully vaccinated and carry proof of vaccination at all times.
“We are also appealing to the interfaith council to meet and address this matter in their own way, in a manner that we have asked them to coordinate so that they can also form an integral part in this exercise,” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said, adding that “in public spaces, you must show proof for admission into national parks and game reserves, hotels, bars, and restaurants.”
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Further, the ministry has directed owners of public facilities to require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination from patrons.
Mr Kagwe said the directive applies to national parks and game reserves, hotels, bars, and restaurants, businesses serving more than 50 people a day, and all indoor gatherings.
“All businesses, including small and medium enterprises, serving 50 or more people a day put up signage requiring proof of vaccination before entry into their premises and their patrons to be fully vaccinated,” said Mr Kagwe.
The CS further forward-directed that all indoor gatherings be limited to two-thirds capacity, with proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all in attendance.
“We are appealing to the Interfaith Council to review and adopt these new measures as appropriate.”
According to data released by the Ministry of Health on Sunday, over 95 percent of all those hospitalized with COVID-19 complications are unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, over 6.3 million vaccines have been administered across the country. Of these, over 3.9 million are partially vaccinated while those fully vaccinated are over 2.4 million.
The uptake of the second dose among those who received their first dose is at 56.3 percent while the proportion of adults fully vaccinated stands at 8.8 percent.
The government is currently projecting to jab at least 26 million adults against Covid-19 by March next year.
