President Uhuru Kenyatta has lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew that has been in effect since March last year.

The curfew was initially imposed as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

“I hereby order and direct the nationwide dusk-dawn curfew to be vacated with immediate effect,” he said as crowds responded with cheer to the announcement.

He was speaking on Wednesday during the 58th Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County.

He also noted that 5 million adults have been vaccinated so far against Covid-19. He said the surge of coronavirus infections had dropped but that the country isn’t out of the woods yet.

The President’s move to lift the curfew follows appeals from stakeholders in Kenya’s business community as well as lobbying from churches to lift restrictions and allow more congregants to gather.