Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta restricted travel in the capital Nairobi and four other countries on Friday as Covid-19 infections hit record levels in the East African country.
In a televised national address, Kenyatta said stricter curfews and a partial lockdown on Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos, and Nakuru were essential in the fight against the third wave of Covid-19 infections.
Nearly three-quarters of all cases have been recorded in the capital Nairobi and the counties mentioned.
He said, "that there shall be the cessation of all movement by road, rail, or air into and out of the disease-infected area effective midnight tonight."
President Kenyatta further said all public gatherings in those areas – political, religious, or otherwise – were temporarily suspended, and schools closed except to those sitting the national secondary school examinations and medical students.
He also brought forward an evening curfew by two hours from 8 pm to 4 am, bars to be closed, and restaurants ordered to only offer takeaway services.
The President also announced a suspension of places of worship and gatherings.
However, Kenyatta said international travel to Kenya will continue following set Covid-19 travel guidelines.
Nairobi county accounts to close to 60% of reported cases countrywide.
Earlier in the day, President Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, and a handful of cabinet secretaries received their first jab of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination. He directed the entire Cabinet and Executive Office to get the Covid vaccine as the government scales up the rollout exercise.