If you fail to wear a mask in public, you risk Ksh.20,000 fine or 6-month jail term

Users of public or private transport and PSV operators are required to wear a proper mask that must cover the mouth and nose.

A gazette notice published in the local dailies states that a person who contravenes this rule commits an offense.

“A person who commits an offense under these Rules shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh. 20,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both,” the notice reads.

It further directs that every organization, business entity, trader or vendor whether in a market or enclosed premises must provide either water and soap to customers or an alcohol-based sanitizer approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

They are also required to put in place measures that ensure customers maintain a distance of no less than one-metre is maintained between persons accessing the premises.

The business entities, vendors, traders and organizations are also mandated to sanitize their premises on a regular basis, failure to which they also risk Ksh. 20,000 fine or imprisonment of six months.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe recently announced that boda boda operators are only allowed to carry one passenger at a time while private vehicles are to avoid carrying more than 50% of licensed capacity.

Anyone found flouting the new regulations will have their vehicle detained at a police station or any other place that the IG designates pending arraignment in court and/or for the duration of the restriction period.

“The Cabinet Secretary may exempt any person from the provisions of the Rules on such terms and conditions as he shall certify in writing,” the gazette notice reads.