Nairobi Region County Security team has issued a directive to all traders operating businesses in public markets and public service vehicles to strictly observe the Covid -19 regulations, failure to which they will be arraigned in court.
The area Regional Commissioner James Kianda said a high percentage of Nairobi residents were ignoring the covid-19 protocols set by the government, noting that markets are a big challenge in observing the rules and were avenues of transmission of the disease.
“We are putting in place strategies to ensure that traders operating in the markets respect covid-19 rules by observing the use of sanitisers, wearing of face masks and handwashing at all times,” said Kianda.
On the restriction of movement in the gazetted area of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru, the RC said security officers will ensure that road blocks are not bypassed by those getting in and out of Nairobi city, as all police commanders in the county will erect a second police check to apprehend those who have managed to escape the official roadblock
He said the government also has plans of cushioning the vulnerable people and in particular those in the informal settlements by providing them with face masks, sanitisers, sanitary towels, soap and food stuffs during this time of Covid -19 pandemic as most families are facing financial constraints.
Briefing the media today at Kasarani Sports Complex where he was holding a security meeting with the County and Sub County Security teams to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy used by security team, how it is enforced and how it can be improved, the RC said no bars will be allowed to operate in the region and those found disregarding the order will be arrested.
The RC appealed to donors and philanthropic groups to assist with donations to mitigate the immediate needs of the needy people at this time of the pandemic.
James Kianda(center), Nairobi Regional Commissioner, flanked by Augustine Nthumbi(left), Regional Police Commander, Nairobi and Rachael Maina(right), Director Compliance and Delivery Nairobi Metropolitan Services ,address the press after chairing a meeting with Nairobi Region Security team on ways of enforcing the ongoing curfew . Picture by Wickliff Ananda
Mr Kianda also announced that the government has extended the Kazi Mtaani programme and will continue to engage the Kazi Mtaani youths who were working on the programme and the vulnerable in the informal settlements to enable them get stipend as most of them have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
He also cautioned public service vehicles carrying excess passengers and those moving beyond the curfew hours, warning that those arrested will be arraigned in court, and urged Nairobians to report people flouting the rules through the ‘Mulika Uhalifu’ 988 forum.
“I am also warning bodaboda operators carrying people after curfew hours that they will not be spared. They have to conform to the regulations, those who disobey risk being taken to court and having their boda bodas impounded,” he said.
In his remarks, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi said the number of police officers manning roadblocks within the sub counties has been increased to give them strength, a move he said will ensure that every part of the city is well covered to avoid people passing through ‘ panya’ routes.
“We have directed sub county police commanders to ensure that their areas are patrolled adequately to avoid people committing offences,” he added.
The security team that comprises of network of the Regional Commissioner, County Commissioner and Deputy County Commissioners, National Police Service, Administration police officers, criminal investigations officers, prison warders, forest officers and other government agencies are putting in place stringent and effective enforcement measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
By Bernadette Khaduli
