NO GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR UNVACCINATED KENYANS: HEALTH SECRETARY

Mon 22 November 2021:

Beginning December 21, Kenyans who have not been completely vaccinated against COVID-19 will be denied access to in-person government services, according to a government official.

At a press briefing, Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government had taken a radical move to assist the COVID-19 vaccine program in order to ensure that all Kenyans are protected from the pandemic.

“Everybody seeking in-person government services should be fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination availed by Dec. 21, 2021. Such services will include but [are] not limited to KRA [Kenya Revenue Authority] services, education, immigration services, hospital and prison visitation, NTSA [National Transport and Safety Authority] and port services.

“Those who have been vaccinated will not risk their lives serving those who have refused to be vaccinated. The key reason why all of us need to be vaccinated is to ensure that we keep the economy going,“ Kagwe added.

Kagwe said the move is aimed at protecting government workers and service providers in other sectors insisting “those who have been vaccinated will not risk their lives serving those who have refused to be vaccinated”.

“Nobody is saying that it is mandatory to be vaccinated but if you want to come to my office for services and everyone there is vaccinated and you are not, that is unfair. The law is clear and it is on our side. The courts cannot force somebody who is vaccinated, to entertain someone who is not vaccinated,” Kagwe said.

“The key reason why all of us need to be vaccinated is to ensure that we keep the economy going and make sure we do not back to hospitalization and people suffering at home,” he added.

Tourism and Wildlife counterpart Najib Balala said those who fail to take vaccines will be denied access to public transport and hotels beginning December 21.

Balala also announced that unvaccinated persons will be denied access to hospitality facilities warning that those who will contravene the directive will be held personally liable.

“All national parks and protected areas will need to demand for the same from 21 of December. What we want is to control the spread of infections because it is going to be a festive season and we will celebrate and enjoy but we need to do that while we are safe,” Balala said.

A total of 22 people in Kenya tested positive for the disease on Sunday, out of a total of 3,191 people tested in the previous 24 hours. The country’s optimism rating is now at 0.7 percent.

In total, 254,710 confirmed positive cases have been reported in the country, with 5,328 deaths. The total number of tests performed so far is 2,798,001.

As of Sunday, a total of 6,388,427 immunizations had been administered across the country. 3,986,501 have been partially vaccinated, while 2,401,926 have been fully vaccinated.

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