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Spread fake news on corona at your own peril, Cabinet warns

Friday, March 20th, 2020 00:00 | By
President Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/PD/File

The Cabinet yesterday warned people spreading misinformation on the coronavirus situation in the country that they would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Cabinet meeting held yesterday at State House, Nairobi and chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta directed law enforcement agencies to arrest individuals spreading false information on the disease. 

It acknowledged the critical role played by the media in relaying proper information and thanked the media for their leading role in awareness creation on the global pandemic.

As part of concerted efforts by the government to protect Kenyans from exploitation by wayward traders, the Cabinet directed security and consumer protection agencies to intensify the ongoing crackdown on businesses that are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to hoard or hike commodity prices.

Projected impact

The Cabinet also tasked the multi-agency team on contraband goods to release 400,000 litres of ethanol held as exhibit material to manufacturers for the blending of hand sanitisers for distribution to the public.

Today’s Cabinet meeting also received and discussed a report from the National Treasury on the projected impact of  the pandemic to the economy and resolved to align budgetary allocations and other fiscal considerations accordingly. 

Further, the Cabinet discussed and agreed to a request by the African Union and the World Health Organisation for Kenya to host the African Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC). 

The Africa CDC will position Kenya as a regional and continental hub in medical research and disease control, and give the country a head start in combating disease outbreaks like the current pandemic.

As part of its support towards the establishment of the Africa CDC in Kenya, the Chinese Government has offered to put up 21-storey office building at an estimated cost of Sh8.3 billion. Once complete, Africa CDC will provide job opportunities to Kenyans in technical, administrative and support functions.

On pending bills, the Cabinet was briefed on the status of outstanding payments in the Prisons Department and the National Youth Service, and resolved to set up a Sh14 billion special fund to pay genuine suppliers. 

Yesterday’s Cabinet meeting also discussed reforms at National Cereals and Produce Board and Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund and directed the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning to wind up the Strategic Food Reserve Fund within six months.

The Cabinet also directed Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning to establish a National Food Reserve system which will procure receipts through competitive commercial processes using the Warehouse Receipt System so as to avoid market distortions.

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