The government has directed all employers to release their staff by 4pm in order to beat the 7pm to 5am curfew amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
This follows increased concerns from members of the public over harassment by police when heading home.
In a press statement on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the directive does not bar night shift staff from reporting to work.
The CS warned employers against slashing employee salaries.
“Do not withhold people’s salaries or wages just because of the situation that currently exists. The 4pm departure is not to say that you start reducing people’s salaries. It’s to allow them to leave a bit earlier, ” the CS said.
“Some of the people we are dealing with have helped employers for many years. It’s time also for the employers to support them the way that the employees have supported these companies. This is the time to give, a time to sacrifice.”
Read: Citizen TV Journalists Arrested Over Clash With Police During Curfew Hours
The government introduced the curfew as a measure to contain the spread of the virus with the CS saying people were being “careless” at night.
The first day of the curfew, Friday, March 27, was characterised by police brutality as those who flouted the curfew were not arrested, but beaten and made to run home.
The Police officers were captured on camera beating commuters at Likoni crossing in Mombasa, as they enforced the nationwide curfew.
Read Also: DP Ruto Asks Police To Practice Restraint, Urges Kenyans To Comply With Terms Of Curfew
The men in uniform used excessive force on motorists who were still on the road past 7pm.
Kenyans took to social media to air their frustrations further calling on the government to take action against the “rogue” officers.
They also urged the government to compel employers to release them in good time so as to help them beat the 7pm curfew.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country has risen to 50 after eight more people tested positive.
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