Kenya’s security agencies are primed to ensure the laid-down Covid-19 rules are adhered to during the ‘Silent night’ celebrations that come with the Christmas festivities.
The government has not only been urging people to be on the lookout for another deadly wave of Covid-19, there are also plans to ensure Kenyans don’t throw caution to the wind in the excitement of the season.
Declared an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco in 2011, ‘Silent Night’ is a popular Christmas carol composed in 1818 by Austrian singer Franza Gruber.
The song, which has been re-recorded by hundreds of artistes ever since, has become a permanent fixture on radio stations during the Christmas season for the past 200 years.
This year, it is, however, more than a song, but a reality on how this festive season will be celebrated. The government has banned staying out past 10pm in order to minimise socialising, which would potentially increase the spread of Covid-19.
“Curfew time will be fully enforced. At 10pm, everyone should be indoors,” Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai warned on Tuesday.
Bars and night clubs, which normally make a killing on nights like yesterday, were on the receiving end for the first time, as most people opted to stay at home. Those that were keen to drink locked themselves in bars as many did throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Churches, which organise overnight vigils, restricted them to 90-minute services that were supposed to start by 6pm last evening.
“We wish to plead with all Kenyans on the importance of winning the war against Covid-19. We unfortunately still see laxity in adopting preventive actions spelt out by the Ministry of Health,” said Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the chairman of the Interfaith Council.
“Compliance is not only for our places of worship, but we must extend to all our gatherings during this period. Let everyone remind one another to wear masks and to wash our hands,” he said.
Some churches, like Mavuno, which have adopted to the new normal, opted to use the Internet to stream their Christmas eve celebrations, which ensured they went on uninterrupted despite rules against congregations.
“Join us this Christmas on our online platforms as we rediscover the birth of the Saviour from the unique perspectives of the lesser known characters who were there when it happened,” said the church while announcing the online streaming of its pre-Christmas event.
Travellers were expected to have reached their destinations by 10pm. This means the annual movement of Kenyans to their rural homes from Nairobi had to be done during the day.
There were traffic snarl-ups across major highways, especially those leading to the west and north of Nairobi, as Kenyans scrambled to be with their loved ones hundreds of kilometres away by nightfall.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway experienced traffic jams on various sections, from as early as 7am. It didn’t help matters that a big stretch of the highway is under construction. Smart motorists used the Ruaka-Limuru road to avoid the Nairobi-Rironi section.
Traffic jams were also experienced along the winding Limuru- Mai Mahiu road, which, on ordinary days, is packed with trailers, avoiding the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. Thika road, too, had a bit of traffic on its outbound lanes, but was moving for the better part of the day.
Mombasa Road, which, like Waiyaki Way, is being elevated to the Nairobi Expressway, witnessed heavier-than-usual traffic all day yesterday. Frustrated Kenyans turned the heavy traffic were into jokes on social media.
“A moment of silence and a small prayer for everyone stuck on Mombasa Road. Please remind me, what you should do in order to maintain your patience when the traffic is not moving?” tweeted Patience Nyange, who was stuck on the highway.
“If you are headed for western region from Nairobi, make sure you have food, drinks and a blanket. The chances of sleeping on the road are very high,” said Samuel Mukewa, who was stuck on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
It did not help matters that the police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had increased the number of roadblocks in order to ensure traffic regulations were followed.
“Of special emphasis will be flagging of illegal operations such as overloading, use of un-prescribed identification plates, failure to use seat-belts, drink-driving and use of unroadworthy vehicles,” warned NTSA Director-General George Njao.
The government has warned there will be a Sh20,000 instant fine for anyone found flouting the Ministry of Health protocols, with motorists driving past 10pm at risk of having their licences revoked.
Entertainment joints too have been warned that those flouting the Covid-19 protocols, including shutting down by 9pm, will have their licences revoked.
A circular by the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) seen by the Nation indicated there will be crackdowns throughout the festive season.
“There have been reported cases both in social media and among mainstream bar owners and other alcohol traders flouting the rules,” a December 18 circular to county commissioners said.
“...Nacada intends to carry out an operation on alcohol-selling outlets to monitor compliance with laws and regulations this festive season,” said the circular that sought police assistance in arresting those flouting the rules.
