Bars to close by 7pm despite curfew lift: police

In a statement posted on Twitter, the NPS said the police service will continue to ensure adherence to the measures.

"Following the vacation of the COVID associated curfew by H.E the President during MASHUJAA Day speech, existing measures on closure of bars by 7.00pm remain in place for now," the NPS said on Wednesday.

"Enforcement of violation of this measure to continue."

President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the curfew that has been in place since March 27, 2020 on Wednesay.

In his address during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kirinyaga, the Head of State said the decision to vacate the curfew was made following the declining rate of COVID-19 infection in the country.

"I have noted with much appreciation that the surge of infection has declined over the last two weeks as characterised by the positivity rate of below 5% that has been registered over this period," said Kenyatta.

"I hereby order and direct that the dusk-to-dawn curfew be and is hereby vacated with immediate effect."

President Kenyatta noted that the country is on course to realise the target of vaccinating 10 million adults by December this year noting that as of today 5 million adults have received the jab.

He, however, urged Kenyans to adhere to the COVID-19 containment measures even as the government works on fully reopening the economy.

"It is important for all of us to appreciate that we are not yet out of the woods and we must therefore continue to observe the containment measures as directed by the Ministry of Health as this is the only way to sustain the gains we are making and guarantee the full reopening of the economy," said Kenyatta.

Meanwhile, the number of persons gathering for worship has been reviewed from one-third to two-thirds of the respective premises.