NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 8 – The Ministry of Health says the wearing of a face mask is not a mandatory requirement for anyone to vote during Tuesday’s general election.
In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe urged Kenyans to ignore rumors doing rounds in social media stating that they will not be allowed to vote if they do not have masks.
“With regard to wearing of face masks, we wish to inform the public that the Ministry has not changed the protocols issued on 04 June 2022,” he stated.
According to the ministry, the government’s response to the pandemic has regularly updated and assessed the containment measures for COVID-19, which were based on an investigation of the pandemic’s epidemiological status in the nation and other jurisdictions.
“Wearing of masks is not a mandatory requirement for voting,” said Kagwe.
However, he advised that when interacting with others in small or enclosed settings, one must wear a mask.
Kenyans are braced for Tuesday’s high-stakes election, as millions prepared to vote for a new president in a tight race between Deputy President William Ruto and Raila Odinga, a veteran opposition leader now backed by the ruling party.
