Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the ministries of education and interior to hasten consultations on the reopening of places of worship and schools.

He said Kenya was a God-fearing nation and there was need for people to have a "more participatory way of worship".

For students a gradual resumption of classes was called for by the president.

President Kenyatta, who was speaking during celebrations for Madaraka (Freedom) Day, said he would issue more guidelines in the coming days:

The country's nationwide curfew and travel restrictions in the capital, Nairobi and three coastal towns were extended for 21 days ending this week.

The president said he would address the nation on measures to stop the spread of the virus in the coming days.

Kenya has 1,962 confirmed cases of the virus, including 64 deaths.