Senator Ledama Ole Kina took to social media to complain about the Ministry of Health’s decision to close restaurants at 4pm.
He argued that the president had extended the curfew so business people could continue working longer.
Therefore, the senator did not see the rationale behind closing restaurants at 4pm yet the curfew had been extended from 7pm to 9pm.
“This here does not make any sense! So the president extends the curfew to 9pm so people can do their businesses then a director now gives orders for restaurants to close at 4pm? What the heck is going on? Confusion galore!!!” Ledama Ole Kina said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had extended the nationwide curfew of 7pm to 5am. It now starts from 9pm to 4am. This was to enable Kenyans to have a full working day.
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However, on Friday the Ministry of Health said all restaurants must be closed by 4pm. According to Head of Public Health Francis Kuria, hotels have failed to follow the strict curfew.
“The minute the curfew was extended to 9pm, most restaurants extended their times to 10pm and the activities in those restaurants are not what we anticipated they would be doing. (They were) serving alcohol. It’s rather unfortunate,” he said.
Moreover, he said the ministry is reviewing new protocols for operation of eateries and restaurants. The protocols will be shared with the public in the near future.
“Before they are approved, we urge Kenyans to be responsible. Close restaurants at 4pm as required by law,” he said.
Furthermore, he warned restaurant owners their operating licenses would be withdrawn if they failed to observe the social distancing rule.
“If we withdraw your permit, it is withdrawn permanently. If your permit is taken don’t bother reapplying, we will make sure it does not go through,” Kuria asserted.
