• Government said the 10 hour curfew runs from 7 pm to 5 am daily.
• Many shoppers went for cereals and nonperishable goods that will last them for few days awaiting further directions from the State.
On Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced targeted interventions aimed at cushioning Kenyans from further spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Uhuru as a result imposed a dusk to dawn curfew that runs from 7 pm to 5 am starting today.
Kenyans risk a fine of Sh10,000, three-month imprisonment, or both if arrested by security officers for violating the curfew order.
The punitive Public Order Act, which has been in place for decades, grants security agencies sweeping powers to enforce the curfew and force Kenyans indoors between 7 pm-5 am daily.
Those found roaming around with rungus, pangas or any other weapons will not only be arrested for contravening the order but also charged with possessing offensive weapons.
While security officers are barred under the act from using excessive force to enforce the curfew during the declared hours, the same law gives them sweeping powers to use reasonable force.
Such reasonable force, the law says, would include subduing offenders and arresting them for arraignment, but where there are extreme cases of resistance, they would use firearms to enforce law and order.
So far Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said there will be no movement, either alone or in groups during the dusk to dawn curfew.
The curfew is one of the measures put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus. The country so far has 31 confirmed cases, one fatality and one recovery.
Cooperative Bank has announced new working hours. The bank will now be open from 9am to 3pm on Monday to Friday and from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
Tuskys supermarket has made significant adjustments to its staffing, logistics and supply chain operations for smooth running.
“All the firm’s retail outlets will close at 6pm and open at 7am but will continue processing orders placed on its alternative channels round the clock,” CEO Dan Githua said
The retailer has adjusted its restocking schedules for essential products such as milk, bread and vegetables, among other perishables, which are typically delivered in the wee hours of the morning.
Naivas said all of its stores will close at 5.30 pm and open at 7.30 am on daily basis.
However its Westlands branch will remain open on a 24 hour basis to serve essential service providers.