Mr Barmao has instructed officers to immediately arrest members of the public who fail to wear masks or those who wear them without covering the mouth and nose.

Last month, the government said anyone found not wearing a face mask in public places during the Covid-19 outbreak, including inside private vehicles, will be arrested.

The government published the law in April which imposes a fine of Sh20,000 and a jail term of six months, or both, for anyone found not wearing a mask in public as a preventative measure against the spread of the pandemic.

The law mandates the use of masks in vehicles as well.

Users of public or private transport and public transport operators are also required to wear proper masks that cover the mouth and nose and also maintain a physical distance of not less than a meter.