Corona and Democracy - Kenya

On this page, we are collecting information on the effects of the measures taken to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus on democracy in Kenya.

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy
Type of measures Measures & sources
Limitations to freedom of movement

  28 February:

  • The Government suspended all flights from China until further notice.


   3 March:

  • The government suspended flights from Italy until further notice.


   12 March:

  • All Kenyan nationals and foreign travellers who have travelled to "high-risk areas" for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be required to self-quarantine. Minister of Health has temporarily lifted the ban on flights from Italy to Kenya as of Friday, 6 March.


   15 March:

  • The president announced nationwide partial lockdown and travel ban for those who come from a country with at least case of coronavirus for 30 days. In addition, Keya blocked entry to the country to all except citizens and residents, Kenyans would have to proceed on self-quarantine or in a government quarantine facility. These measures would last 14 days.


   22 March:

  • The government increased the measures. Disciplinary action would be taken towards those who will fail to comply with the regulations. National Police Service to enforce the National Health Act, the outlined transport regulations and quarantine.


   25 March:

  • The president announced that all international flights have been banned, and imposed a curfew from 19:00 to 05:00. The land border between Kenya and Uganda has also been closed to all pedestrians and vehicles, except for cargo trucks.


   06 April:

  • The government announced a 21-day ban on movement in Nairobi and the counties of Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa. In addition, the international flight ban has been extended for 30 days.


   09 April:

  • The government announced 30 days lockdown on Mandera County. All public transportation and movement between villages have been banned.


   14 April:

  • Stricter measures have been implemented for citizens and business. The violation of these might cause a fine or six months of jail time.


   22 April:

  • Authorities announced a further 21-day ban on movement in Mandera County.


   25 April:

  • The government announced a 21-day extension to an ongoing nationwide curfew. Aan existing cessation of movement order for Nairobi, Mombassa, Kilifi, and Kwale, would be extended by 21 days. All public transportation between villages has been banned (exception for food cargo).


   7 May:

  • Authorities announced a 15-day partial lockdown effective immediately in Eastleigh (Nairobi) and Mombasa city. No movement into or out of the two zones will be allowed for the duration of the measures and public spaces will be shut.

   
Limitations to electoral rights

  • 1 April: The government announced the postponement of by-elections scheduled for April, June and July 2020. No date has been communicated yet.
Limitation to civil rights
  • Individuals who return from abroad must spend 14 days in quarantine and people are being taken to facilities identified by the government at their own expense (reports of people kept as prisoners, the impossibility for Kenyans to pay for the cost of the quarantine and low hygiene conditions). The travel ban an shut down of transportation increased the risk of hunger and starvation across the country.
 
  • Police brutality has been reported after the implementation of the nationwide curfew.

   30 March:
  • High Court has barred police from using excessive force while enforcing curfew and demanded the police provide guidelines for observing the curfew.

   16 March:
  • Judiciary scaled down its operations for a period of two weeks since then, it introduced new practice rules to shield its staff and other court users (for example, closure of the courts and the use of technology).
 
Risks to data security
  • The authorities in Kenya have been tracking mobile phones of people suspected to have Covid-19. A mobile app was being developed so that "detailed" information about their movements could be obtained.
Limitations to freedom of information

   13 March:

  • the minister of health issued an order with measures that citizens must follow, among these “Kenyans must not abuse social media platforms or indulge in spreading misinformation that can cause fear and panic".
  • Police patrols have used excessive violence in enforcing the curfew and attacks have been reported against journalists.
Emergency powers for government
  • No state of emergency has been declared yet. Public Health Act Cap 242 (the “PHA”) and Public Order Act Cap 50 (the “POA”) are the primary legal bases for the emergency power the Executive has been utilising.
Corona laws - full text
Various  
 
Last updated on 14.05.2020

Please note that we are constantly updating the information under rapidly changing circumstances, the information on this page should not be taken to be a complete overview of measures in a country. 

See some information that is missing? Let us know about it here.