Not yet “uhuru” for the party animals; bars and night clubs to remain closed.

The wait by Kenyans for the reopening of the entertainment spots is not yet over.

This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday August 26, extended by a further 30 days the closure bars and night clubs as Kenya continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

The president however lifted the ban on the sale of alcohol by licensed hotels with residence with bar owners now tasked to work with the Health Ministry in formulating self-regulating mechanisms to allow for resumption.

“In the next 30 days, bar owners, in consultation with the Ministry of Health will develop self-regulating mechanisms as part of their civic responsibility to their clientele, in order to allow their resumption”, President Kenyatta directed.

The ban on the sale of alcohol in restaurants and eateries was announced by Kenyatta on Monday, July 27, and the president had fired a stern warning to anyone found in breach of the directive but has now softened the stand after entrepreneurs in the industry decried huge losses.

President Kenyatta has further lifted the ban on importation of second hand clothes, popularly known as mitumba with details on the operations and protocols for the same set to be announced on Thursday, August 27.

He was pleased to note that even amid the pandemic, the economy was growing a rate of 4.6% compared to 5.5% last year

The president observed that the pandemic has inspired businesses to change their models in order to adjust to the changing times.

The maximum number of people who can now attend funerals and church related activities has also been raised from 15 to 100.

“In accordance with the recommendations of the Inter-Faith Council, the maximum number of persons permitted to attend funerals and weddings is reviewed upwards to 100, with all in attendance abiding with Ministry of Health Protocols”, President Kenyatta stated.

The CS Interior has also been directed to convene a consultative conference with an aim of charting Kenya’s post-Covid future.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government in conjunction with the Chairperson of the Council of Governors, shall, in three weeks, convene an inclusive National Consultative Conference to review our national and county covid response and together with all stakeholders, chart Kenya’s post-covid future”, President Kenyatta directed.

The nationwide 9pm-4am curfew has also been extended for a further 30 days