Covid-19: Kenya reinstates its vaccine pass to fight Omicron

A Kenyan woman receives her first injection of AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 at a vaccination center in Nairobi on April 21, 2021. AFP - YASUYOSHI CHIBA

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1 min

Kenyans will now have to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to use public transport or access official buildings.

The announcement, made a month ago, had sparked controversy.

Last week a court suspended the measure, following an appeal filed by a businessman.

But Kenyan authorities persist and sign, as the country faces a significant rise in the number of cases since the discovery of the Omicron variant.

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With our regional correspondent in Nairobi

,

In three weeks, the rate of people tested and found positive for Covid-19 has jumped in Kenya.

It went from 1% in early December to almost 30% on Wednesday.

A record since the start of the pandemic.

And this is the main argument put forward by the Ministry of Health to justify maintaining its vaccine pass, however controversial and which had even been suspended last week

.

Vaccination

is therefore now compulsory in the country to access natural parks, animal reserves, hotels, bars and restaurants, but also public transport, banks, and certain official buildings.

This last point is particularly controversial.

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly denounced a "

 "

measure 

, which according to the NGO risks leading to a breach of equality in access to public services.

Because in Kenya only 10% of the population is fully vaccinated.

It is precisely to accelerate the vaccination that the pass is necessary, answer the authorities.

Officials of establishments who refuse to apply the measure risk having their licenses suspended, the ministry also announced.

As for travelers from Europe, they must present proof of vaccination upon arrival.

Random tests are already being carried out at the borders in particular for travelers from South Africa where the Omicron variant has been detected.

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• Kenya

• Coronavirus