HOPE FOR KENYANS AS NEW ORDERS EMERGE

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is pushing President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift the dusk to dawn curfew and remove the travel restrictions enforced to curb the spread of Covid-19.

On Tuesday, August 10, Minority Leader, John Mbadi, and Mvita MP, Abdulswamad Nassir, moved a motion in the National Assembly saying that the restrictions affected different business sectors and the economy at large.

ODM led by Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, wants night travel to resume, a few days after the government allowed matatus to carry passengers at full capacity.

Mbadi and Nassir stated that in place of the restrictions, the government should enforce less stringent yet equally effective and economy-friendly containment measures to allow businesses to thrive.

ODM MPs: From left: Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), John Mbadi (Suba East) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East)FILE

With Kenya keen to expand its vaccination scope and numbers, ODM urged Uhuru to bar non-vaccinated individuals from accessing workplaces and other key areas. 1,804,375 vaccines had been administered as of Sunday, August 8.

“This House, therefore, urges the National Government to roll out a mass vaccination campaign that includes restricted access to work premises by non-vaccinated employees,” an excerpt of the motion reads.

Their call coincided with a directive issued by the Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, which made it mandatory for civil servants to receive a Covid-19 jab by August 31 or face disciplinary action.

Raila Odinga, the ODM Party Leader, had asked Parliament to consider raising the debt ca p beyond Ksh9 trillion to allow the government to borrow more loans in a bid to boost the ease of doing business, acquiring Covid-19 vaccines and provide economic stimulus programs capital to Kenyans.
Speaking in Mombasa County, on Wednesday, July 21, Raila stated that the funds would be channelled towards vaccinating the citizens.

“We should vaccinate a huge population and open the economy like in the UK. In Kenya, we have vaccinated nearly 1 million individuals only. No matter how expensive purchasing the drugs would cost, if we have to borrow, let us do so,” he stated.

He also urged Uhuru to unveil a stimulus program that will benefit Kenyans. In the motion, ODM reiterated their Party Leader’s call and asked the government to roll out a Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Program comprising Kazi Mtaani for urban areas and a new Kazi Mashambani for rural areas.

“The current unprecedented challenges call for extraordinary but necessary solutions,” Public Investments Committee Chairman, Nassir advised.

On Friday, July 30, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe extended the national curfew by 60 days. Kagwe announced that the curfew would start from 10 pm to 4 am across the whole country.

All public and personal meetings were further suspended countrywide.

Sourced from Kenyans.co.ke