A section of religious leaders in Uasin Gishu County has pocked holes into an ultimatum issued by the government that Kenyans with no proof of Covid-19 vaccination will not be able to access key services.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said from December 21, 2021, every Kenyan must be vaccinated to access government services as well as be allowed to enter key facilities like hotels and parks.
But according to the religious leaders, the directive amounts to forcing Kenyans to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
According to Bishop Wilson Kurui, before the government thinks of starting to block unvaccinated Kenyans from accessing some services, it must first do public sensitization about the Covid-19 vaccines.
Speaking in Eldoret town, Bishop Kirui said some people are still reluctant to get the jab because of the many myths about its effects on the body.
“I am against any attempts to force people into getting vaccinated. If you force people yet some have no information about the vaccine what will happen. There are those who also have their own reasons why they don’t want to be vaccinated and it will be wrong if it is made a must to be vaccinated,” said the Jesus is Love Ministries Bishop.
He also insisted on the need for the government to ensure there are sufficient vaccines for every Kenyan, and make them easily accessible by setting up vaccination centers across the country.
Bishop Kirui says currently, vaccination centers favor people living in urban areas with those in rural areas disadvantaged.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that so far, 4.5 percent of Kenyans are fully vaccinated which represents a population of about 2.4 million out of the 6.39 million doses given.
Globally, 3.29 billion people have been vaccinated, representing 42.1 percent of the population while 7.71 billion doses have been given.
