Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta has placed Nairobi and several nearby counties under a partial lockdown.
He has also closed schools and bars in those areas, in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In a national address, Kenyatta ordered “that there shall be cessation of all movement by road, rail, or air into and out of the disease-infected area… effective midnight tonight” in Nairobi and four other counties where cases are rising fast.
Kenya is gripped by a deadly third wave of the pandemic but nearly three-quarters of all cases have been recorded in the capital Nairobi and the nearby counties of Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos and Nakuru.
Kenyatta said all public gatherings in those areas — political, religious or otherwise — were temporarily suspended, while schools were shut except to those writing exams or for medical students.
An evening curfew in effect for 12 months was brought forward to 8pm-4am, he said.
Bars would be closed, and restaurants permitted to offer takeaway food only and no alcoholic drinks.
All employees in those countries, where possible, should work from home, the president said.