Uhuru bans sale of alcohol in restaurants effective today

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and eateries effective midnight for 30 days.

In addition, President Kenyatta also ordered that all eateries close their premises by 7 pm, an hour earlier.

In his speech, the Head of State directed the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai to ensure that all bars remain closed until further notice.

IG Mutyambai was also ordered to ensure that bars that contravene COVID-19 health regulations have their licenses permanently revoked.

The police boss was also strictly ordered to ensure that politicians, who have been prone to breaching COVID-19 regulations, observe health protocols including remaining indoors during curfew hours unless they are essential service providers.

In the recent past, Nairobi Senator Sakaja Johnson and Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo were arrested from flouting the national curfew, an offence they pleaded guilty to and fined Sh15,000.

The President warned Kenyans against the false assurance afforded by Kenya’s seemingly low fatality rate compared to countries that are hard-hit by COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Kenyatta also extended the national 9 pm curfew by another 30 days.

Comparing the fight against COVID-19 to war, the President said that unless Kenyans took individua and collective responsibility, the virus fatalities will continue to increase.

Even though he did not yield to pressure to lockdown urban centres, the Head of State warned that virus cases in the capital city had risen aggressively.

Nationally, 44 out of Kenya’s 47 counties have reported coronavirus cases with total caseload of 17,603 as of Sunday, July 26.