Kenya has announced the first full recovery of a patient with COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has also ordered a curfew, pay cuts and tax reliefs in a range of measures to combat coronavirus.
In a televised address, President Kenyatta described the full recovery of the patient as encouraging news.
However, Kenya’s confirmed cases also rose by three to 28 on the same day.
To curb the spread, he ordered a daily curfew from 7 pm to 5 am local time (1600GMT to 0200GMT) beginning Friday.
Mr Kenyatta also announced a 100% tax relief for persons earning up to $240 (£202) a month, while the others will pay 5% less on income tax. There were also reductions on corporate and value-added tax.
The financial changes begin on 1 April and are subject to parliamentary approval.
Additionally, Mr Kenyatta announced voluntary pay cuts for himself and senior civil servants to free up funds to fight coronavirus. The president and his deputy shall take an 80% pay cut, while Cabinet ministers will volunteer 30% of their salaries.
He called on all arms of the government to join in by making similar voluntary reductions.
He also announced a $100m (£84m) cash transfer to cushion the country’s vulnerable population, including the elderly and the orphans.
All government personnel aged 50 years and above will proceed on leave or work from home. The order excludes personnel in the security sector and other essential services.
Latest Stories
-
CLOGSAG vows to resist partisan appointments in Civil, Local Government Service
30 minutes -
Peasant Farmers Association welcomes Mahama’s move to rename Agric Ministry
32 minutes -
NDC grateful to chiefs, people of Bono Region -Asiedu Nketia
34 minutes -
Ban on smoking in public: FDA engages food service establishments on compliance
35 minutes -
Mahama’s administration to consider opening Ghana’s Mission in Budapest
37 minutes -
GEPA commits to building robust systems that empower MSMEs
39 minutes -
Twifo Atti-Morkwa poultry farmers in distress due to high cost of feed
41 minutes -
Central Region PURC assures residents of constant water, power supply during yuletide
43 minutes -
Election victory not licence to misbehave – Police to youth
44 minutes -
GPL 2024/2025: Nations thrash struggling Legon Cities
47 minutes -
Electoral offences have no expiry date, accountability is inevitable – Fifi Kwetey
47 minutes -
Ghanaians to enjoy reliable electricity this Christmas – ECG promises
54 minutes -
Police deny reports of election-related violence in Nsawam Adoagyiri
58 minutes -
‘We’re not brothers; we’ll show you where power lies’ – Dafeamekpor to Afenyo-Markin
1 hour -
EPA says lead-based paints are dangerous to health, calls for safer alternatives
3 hours