Hurdles in enforcing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to ban political gatherings –Covid-19 fresh wave

During his address on the covid-19 guidelines and protocols,
the head of state issued direct guideline to ban all political gatherings in
the country for 30 days, following recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the
country.

“All forms of political gatherings are hereby prohibited for
a period of 30 days starting midnight today. This should be followed regardless
of the political or social standing,” he said. “I direct national government
administration officers and the National Police Service and county government
enforcement officers to strictly enforce this order regardless of the social
and political standing of the conveners, of these political (and social
gatherings)” he said, adding, “further actions will depend on the results.”

While the country has been recording high number of cases, health
Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that this is the third wave of the
pandemic, a year after it was reported in Kenya.

The country has of late experienced heated political
temperature from the just concluded by-elections. as many Kenyans gathering on
rallies of their desired candidates with minimal Covid-19 guidelines observed.

The announcement came in few hours after the deputy
president was in Busia County selling his hustler principle on empowering of
small-businesses in the country for a better economy. He was expected in West
Pokot and Murang’a on Saturday and
Sunday respectively.

“The Covid19 infection rates have become a serious
source of concern making it necessary for GoK to take remedial measures to
manage and contain the pandemic. With the President’s announcement of
containment measures, I forthwith suspend all public engagement until further
notice,” Deputy president William Ruto said in a tweet.

The BBI proponent Senator Gideon Moi was in Bomet urging supporters
to vote for BBI in the forthcoming Referendum.

Campaign mode has been on a high rate in the country from
the political groupings which have set the country in an electoral mood less
than a year to the 2022 general election.

Politicians have been on the forefront in defying the set
guidelines to contain covid-19, with the by-elections being carried across the
country and campaigns ongoing, the ball falls in the hands of the law enforcers
to implement the new directives by the president.