• The CAS said that such measures will protect Kenyans from the surging cases of the virus.
• The CAS added that those who have been vaccinated are performing better against the virus, compared to the unvaccinated people.
Image: MAGDALINE SAYA
People seeking government services must present Covid certificates-Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi has said.
You will also be required to show proof of Covid vaccination to access public places such as parks, hotels and restaurants, bars, domestic flights, trains and PSVs.
And to circumvent a court order that stopped the government from demanding for the vaccination certificate, the ministry of health has said it is now invoking the Public Heath Act. This is a law that gives government sweeping powers to issue various directives related to health especially when there is a pandemic.
The High court had issued an order stopping the directive by the government requiring everybody seeking in person government services to be fully vaccinated.
Mwangangi said that National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) is currently invoking the Public Health Act to ensure that all people seeking the government services are fully vaccinated.
In her address on Wednesday on the state of the Covid-19 in the country, the CAS said that such measures will ensure that the surging virus is mitigated.
“These measures are here to protect you and me. Right now, the Ministry of Health in putting down these directives through NERC is invoking the Public Health Act,” Mwangangi said.
She added that vaccination is not mandatory.
“We are encouraging Kenyans to ensure that they are vaccinated…if you have any challenges at accessing that certificate, you can reach the Ministry of Health, it will be on standby, we are not on holiday.”
The CAS added that those who have been vaccinated are performing better against the virus, compared to the unvaccinated people.
“Those who are vaccinated still perform better and are having better outcomes than those who are vaccinated.
“This means adults in the country should be vaccinated in the shortest time possible to ensure that we have as many people as possible protected from severe disease.”
Her remarks come a day after Government's Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said that no government services will be rendered to people without the certificate.
Speaking on Tuesday in Mau Summit, Nakuru County during a sensitization exercise on road safety, Oguna said that the government is working hard to safeguard all Kenyans.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe had given up to December 21 for Kenyans to get vaccinated and produce a Covid-19 certificate before accessing government facilities.