Are you forwarding fake coronavirus news on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform?
Then be warned.
The Cabinet on Thursday issued a warning to people spreading fake news on the Covid-19 situation in the country, saying purveyors of such information will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired the meeting at State House Nairobi, where the situation in the country was discussed as well as the option of a lockdown.
Uhuru directed law enforcement agencies to “pursue and arrest individuals spreading false information on the disease”.
“Today’s Cabinet sitting acknowledged the critical role played by the media in relaying proper information and thanked the Kenyan media for their leading role in awareness creation on the global pandemic,” State House said in a statement.
In addition, to protect Kenyans from exploitation by unscrupulous traders, the Cabinet directed security and consumer protection agencies to intensify the ongoing crackdown on businesses that are taking advantage of the outbreak to hoard and/or hike commodity prices.
Additionally, 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 Cabinet also discussed a report from the National Treasury on the projected impact of the pandemic to the economy and resolved to align budgetary allocations and other fiscal considerations accordingly.
