Covid-19: Kenya imposes curfew, gives citizens tax relief

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced a countywide curfew from 7pm to 5am starting Friday in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an address to the nation, President Kenyatta said the new measures are meant to fight the spread of coronavirus.

The President also announced tax relief for Kenyans classified as low income earners while reducing income tax down from 30 percent to 25 percent.

Members of Kenyatta’s Cabinet are also expected to take pay cuts to “share the burden occasioned by the global health pandemic”, President Kenyatta said.

The salary reductions will be as follows:

• The President and Deputy President – 80 percent
• Cabinet Secretaries – 30 percent
• Chief Administrative Secretaries – 30 percent
• Principal Secretaries – 20 percent

Meanwhile a patient who tested positive for Covid-19 has fully recovered, according to the President.

“We have today registered one recovery of the patients. This is a clear indication that we can and we will beat the virus,” the President said.

As of Wednesday 6pm 28 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Kenya.

“Many more persons, both Kenyans and Foreigners, remain under close monitoring under either self-quarantine or compulsory-quarantine; measures which we have taken to ensure the safety of all our people,” Mr Kenyatta said.