The government through a Senior Ministry of Health official has said Kenyans misinterpreted recent measures announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Mutahi Kagwe.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday night, National Taskforce on Vaccine Deployment Chairperson, Dr Willis Akhwale noted that the government is not forcing anyone to take the vaccine as has been reported in the media.
According to Dr Akhwale, the measures announced by CS Kagwe including lack of in-person government services for unvaccinated persons are meant to reduce the spread of the virus.
Dr Akhwale further noted that unvaccinated persons can still access government services, but will not do it physically, arguing that research has shown that they pose a danger in terms of spreading the virus.
National Taskforce on Vaccine Deployment Chairperson, Dr Willis Akhwale. [Photo: Courtesy]
“There is no threat, in public health we don’t use threats; we use strategy. Secondly, I think there has been a misunderstanding on the issue of government services. If you go back to the speech by CS Kagwe he said in-person gov’t services. There are many ways which you can be served, you can make a phone call and be served, you can use digital platforms…There is no mandatory vaccination.
“What the CS proclaimed are measures that are so critical in enhancing the war against the pandemic and prepare us on what is happening in Europe where we are seeing upsurges… We have evidence that unvaccinated transmit the virus more than the vaccinated,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV.
During a recent briefing, CS Kagwe noted that effective December 21, 2021, unvaccinated persons will not be allowed to seek in-person government services, those travelling must show proof of vaccination and hotels serving more than 50people must demand proof of vaccination.
The measures are meant to reduce spread of the Covid-19 virus during the festive season when Kenyans are known to travel from one point to the other.
