Unvaccinated Kenyans to be Denied In-Person Government Services

Kenyans seeking in-person government services must be fully vaccinated, the Health Ministry has said.

Speaking on Sunday, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said anyone seeking such services will be required to show proof of vaccination effective December 21st.

The services include KRA services, immigration services, hospital, and prison visitation, NTSA, and port services.

"Nobody said vaccination is mandatory, but if you want government services you have to be vaccinated," said Kagwe.

Transport sector workers including drivers, conductors, boda-boda riders, pilots, and air hostesses are also required to be fully vaccinated and carry verification proof at all times.

Travelers from European/American countries must also provide proof of vaccination before entry into Kenya.

The Health ministry in collaboration with county governments and other stakeholders will undertake a 10-day mass vaccination exercise from November 26th. This is part of the government's efforts to achieve its target of vaccinating at least 10 million people by year-end.

Although petitions challenging mandatory vaccination have been filed, Kagwe argues that it is improper to allow inoculated people to entertain the risk from the unvaccinated. 

"What the courts cannot do is to force somebody who has been vaccinated to entertain a person who has not been vaccinated....so it is not the law that we want to use but it is for you to know what you need to do as a citizen," he said.

He says 95 percent of all those hospitalized from COVID-19 in the country and around the world are un-vaccinated.