Kenyans are in state of confusion on whether bar operating hours will revert to pre-curfew times or they can now operate overnight.
This comes following contradicting statements issued by Ministry of Tourism and the National Police Service concerning President Uhuru Kenyatta’s order of lifting the nationwide dawn to dusk curfew.
In a local daily, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, said that the curfew lift effectively means the restriction on bars and restaurants was also vacated immediately.
He stated that hospitality facilities are back to normal with the Ministry of Health protocols.
However, the National Police Service has announced that the 7:00pm closure time for bars is still effective.
“Following the vacation of the COVID associated curfew by the President during Mashujaa Day speech, existing measures on closure of bars by 7.00pm remain in place for now. Enforcement of violation of this measure to continue,” said the police.
Bar owners want the government to clarify because lack of clear communication on operation hours from authorities has denied them space to operate.
Kenyatta announced the lift the dawn to dusk curfew hours which have been in place since March 27, 2020.
“It is, however, important for all of us to appreciate that we are not yet out of the woods. 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 a guarantee to the full re-opening of the economy,” said the President.
According to him, the move to lift the curfew followed a review of the containment measures by the National Emergency Response Committee and the National Security Council.
