The Cabinet on Thursday warned fake news purveyors spreading falsehoods on the coronavirus situation in the country to desist from misinforming the public or face arrest and prosecution.
The Cabinet also praised the Kenyan media outlets for airing educational programmes for school children and leading in awareness creation on the global coronavirus pandemic.
“As part of concerted efforts by the Government to protect Kenyans from exploitation by wayward traders, the Cabinet directed security and consumer protection agencies to intensify the ongoing crack down on businesses that are taking advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak to hoard and/or hike commodity prices,” said the Cabinet.
Further, the Cabinet tasked the multi-agency team on contraband goods to release 400,000 litres of ethanol held as exhibit material to manufacturers for the blending of hand sanitizers for distribution to the public.
The meeting, chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in Nairobi , also received and discussed a report from the National Treasury on the projected impact of Coronavirus pandemic to the economy and resolved to align budgetary allocations and other fiscal considerations.
More importantly, the Cabinet agreed to host the African Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC) as requested by the African Union and the World Health Organization.
The Africa CDC will be built by the Chinese government at a cost of Sh8.3 billion for the 21-storey office building.
“Once complete, Africa CDC will provide job opportunities to Kenyans in technical, administrative and support functions,” said the Cabinet.
The Africa CDC will position Kenya as a regional and continental hub in medical research and disease control, and give the country a head start in combating disease outbreaks like the current coronavirus pandemic.
On pending bills, the Cabinet was briefed on the status of outstanding payments in the Prisons Department and the National Youth Service and resolved to set up a Sh14 billion special fund to pay genuine suppliers.
At the meeting, Treasury CS Ukur Yatani was also directed to wind up the Strategic Food Reserve Fund within 6 months as part of needed reforms at National Cereals and Produce Board.
