•The government’s directive took effect on December 21, requiring that all people traveling to the country must have a vaccine certificate.
The state directive on vaccination continue leave trail of inconveniences with some malls as well as airlines refusing entry to those yet to be vaccinated.
Activist Mutemi Kiama is one such victim. Though he denies being anti-vaccines, he traveled out of the country on December 19 to Abuja, Nigeria, for a meeting, but an airlines could not allow him for his flight back home.
The government’s directive took effect on December 21, requiring that all people traveling to the country must have a vaccine certificate.
Those attending events such as funerals, weddings, receptions, conferences, sports, trade fares or even indoor events will be expected to show proof of vaccination.
Hotels, pubs, restaurants and all private facilities were warned that if they do not comply with the government orders, they risk being dragged to court and their licences revoked.
"In the event of non-compliance action shall be taken, which may include the withdrawal of the license of the institution. Each facility shall be required to nominate someone to verify the vaccination certificates," CAS Mwangangi stated.
Before Mutemi flew out, he had a negative test in Kenya and had two other tests in Nigeria when he landed and another on December 22 before traveling back on December 23.
He told the Star that on December 23 when he and his colleagues started the return trip via Ethiopian Airlines, the problems started when taking a connecting flight at Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
“We expected that either they would allow us to travel or stop us from boarding in Abuja. Ethiopian Airlines allowed us to board in Abuja and we traveled to Addis. While waiting to board the connection flight, someone checked out boarding passes then asked for a vaccination certificate. We said we didn't have one,” he described.
Because they were unvaccinated, they were denied entry and the airline had to call Nairobi and the immigration department and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority which said the plane would not be allowed to land if they carried the unvaccinated.
“We were put in a hotel. My Comrade and I decided we will not be coerced into vaccination by the government. Note, we are not anti vaccination but we believe it has to be by choice.”
They stayed in the Ethiopia for three days.
Adamant on their stance of taking the jab, their only help was a Kenyan working in Ethiopia who went to the embassy and got a letter that gave blanket permission for Kenyans in Ethiopia to travel and was allowed to board.
“We got a copy but were still barred from traveling. We stayed in Addis but on the third day five of us were allowed to travel subject to a negative PCR test."
His friends traveled that morning, he said, only after committing in writing that they would get the jab in seven days.
He was eventually allowed to travel later that evening unconditionally, he said.