Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered government offices and owners of public facilities to deny services to patrons who are not fully vaccinated for Covid-19 from December 21.

Speaking on Sunday, Kagwe said unvaccinated persons will not access services at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), education, hospitals and prisons, National transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), port, domestic flights, train services, buses, matatus and all regional travels.

According to the CS, such persons will also be barred from accessing businesses serving 50 people and above daily, hotels bars and restaurants, national parks and game reserves as well as all indoor gatherings.

“All businesses, including small and medium enterprises, serving 50 or more people a day to put up signage requiring proof of vaccination before entry into their premises and their patrons to be fully vaccinated,” he said.

Kagwe also ordered that all gatherings indoors be now limited to two thirds of such facilities’ capacity, with all attendants expected to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

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“We are appealing to the Interfaith Council to review and adapt these new measures as appropriate,” Kagwe directed.

The Health CS warned that those who violate the strict orders will receive heavy penalties.

The CS added, “If you are a bar owner don't wait until you are slapped with a heavy fine, ensure all coming in have proof of vaccination.”

His Tourism counterpart Najib Balala welcomed the new directive by the government, saying it matched a raft of measures other countries were taking globally saying the government might soon also demand proof of Covid-19 test results for domestic travel.

Mutahi Kagwe. PHOTO/COURTESY

Balala said, “We want to be compliant with the international community so that we have a safe population. When you are fully vaccinated you are much safer.”

He added, “At a later stage we will review the issue of requirement of PCR testing, especially for travellers. For now, we want to welcome the pronouncement of requiring all the facilities to demand vaccination certificates; If you fail, there will be a penalty on both the facilities and the individuals.”

MOH data released on Sunday revealed that more than 95 per cent of those hospitalized in Kenya with complications related to Covid-19 are those who have not been vaccinated.