The government on Tuesday announced the cancellation of operation licenses of Mombasa bound long distance bus companies for violating partial lockdown directive.
Inspector General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai said buses belonging to three companies which he did not mention were caught by police circumventing enforcement of partial lockdown restricting movement.
Speaking in Mombasa, Mutyambai disclosed that the buses which were ferrying 96 passengers from Mombasa to Embu were intercepted at Masinga in Machakos County and ordered to return to the coastal city with everyone on board.
The police boss also announced the cancellation of licenses of the drivers for going against the government enforcement on partial lockdowns in Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Nairobi.
He said the police service was aware that some drivers were using illegal routes to escape enforcement of movements by the multi-agency team manning the roadblocks.
Some unscrupulous drivers of Mombasa bound buses destined to Central parts of Kenya are using alternative routes following the confinement of Nairobi Metropolitan as part of government measures to control the spread of Covid-19.
“All those violating government directives on the restriction of movement in the selected counties will face the full force of the law,” said Mutyambai when he paid a courtesy call on Coast Regional Police Commander Rashid Yakub at his office in Mombasa.
The Police boss is in the coastal city to familiarise himself with the areas under the partial lockdown.
Mr. Mutyambai also warned that starting Tuesday police and the multi-agency team will arrest members of the public found without a mask.
He said it is now mandatory for one to put a mask in a public place saying this was not meant to punish Kenyans but instead to protect them from the deadly coronavirus.
By Mohamed Hassan
