One patient recovers,tax relief and partial curfew in Kenya

Kenya has recorded the first recovery from the COVID-19 infection.

Making the announcement on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the patient had fully recovered from the infection, terming it as the clearest indication that the country would defeat the pandemic.

“…more importantly we have registered our first patient who has fully recovered from this virus. This fellow Kenyans is a clear indication that we can and indeed will defeat this virus,” said President Kenyatta.

He, however, revealed that three more patients had tested positive for the coronavirus bringing the national tally to 28 confirmed cases.

Kenyatta further stated that numerous other cases have been found to be negative after rigorous testing.

He added that many more persons, both Kenyans and foreigners, remain under close monitoring either under self or compulsory quarantine.

The Head of State assured that the country, both at the National and County level, is implementing strict evaluation protocols to seek out and test persons who may be carriers of the coronavirus.

Pay cut

President Uhuru Kenyatta has now announced that senior ranking officials of the Executive arm of government have agreed to take voluntary pay cuts in order to free up funds towards the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Speaking on Wednesday at State House in Nairobi, President Kenyatta stated that himself alongside Deputy President William Ruto would have their salaries slashed by 80%.

The Head of State added that Cabinet Secretaries and their Chief Administrative Secretaries would take 30% pay cuts.

He further stated that Principal Secretaries will, on the other hand, have their salaries reduced by 20%.

“I call on the other arms of Government and tiers of Government to join us in this national endeavour, by making similar voluntary reductions; which will free-up monies to combat this pandemic,” he stated.

President Kenyatta also directed that all State and Public Officers with pre-existing medical conditions and/or aged 58 years and above take leave or work from home henceforth.

Curfew

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, March 25, announced the government will impose a daily 7PM to 5AM curfew in a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Addressing the nation from State House, Mr. Kenyatta announced that the curfew will take effect starting Friday.

“Effective Friday, 27 March, 2020; a Daily Curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. shall be in effect in the territory of the Republic of Kenya, with all movement by persons not authorized to do so or not being Medical Professionals, Health Workers,Critical and Essential Services Providers, being prohibited between those hours,” he said.

Here is a list of the essential services that have been spared from the curfew.

1. Medical Professionals&Health Workers

2. National Security, Administration and Co-ordination Officers

3. Public Health and Sanitation officers in the County Governments

4. Licensed Pharmacies and Drug Stores

5. Licensed Broadcasters and Media Houses

6. Kenya Power & Lightening Company Limited

7. Food Dealers, Distributors, Wholesalers & Transporters of Farm Produce

8. Licensed Supermarkets, Mini-Markets and Hypermarkets

9. Licensed Distributors and Retailers of Petroleum and Oil Products and Lubricants

10. Licensed Telecommunication Operators and Service Providers

11. Licensed Banks, Financial Institutions and Payment Financial Services

12. Fire Brigade and other Emergency Response Services

13. Licensed security firms

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