The number of COVID-19 infections in Kenya has surpassed the 22,000 mark as the country continues to see s steady rise in cases.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced in a media briefing that the East African country had recorded 690 new infections in the past 24 hours, taking the country's total tally to 22,053.

Kagwe also noted that five more patients had died from the disease in the last 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities to 369.

Kenya is one of only seven countries in Africa that have registered more than 20,000 COVID-19 infections.

Having initially seen a slow rise in infections, Africa has recently witnessed a steady spike in daily new cases, and is fast approaching the one million mark.

In a COVID-19 beirfing, Kagwe warned young Kenyans against flouting COVID-19 health protocols, saying those who did so were putting themselves at risk of contracting the disease.

"We are increasingly seeing younger people passing away," said Kagwe.

Kenya resumed international flights on Saturday after a months-long suspension, but aviation officials said the country will not ease its health protocols aimed at curbing any further spread of the virus.