Police in Murang’a on Monday nabbed eight people among them a Tanzanian who managed to evade road blocks and were on their way to Nyeri from Nairobi.
The passengers who boarded a matatu at Kenol market in Murang’a after they managed to use illegal routes were arrested at a roadblock mounted at Mukuyu area near Murang’a town.
The four men and three women and a child had no proper documents to facilitate them move from Nairobi to neighboring counties.
Confirming the incident, the Murang’a County Police Commander (CPC), Josephat Kinyua said people are trying to use ‘panya’ routes so as to beat mounted roadblocks.
He said apart from the passengers, another 18 people were arrested while trying to access Thika from Murang’a side.
“All those have been arrested have been put under quarantine and they will cater for all expenses. We have been having challenges as many people are trying to move especially towards Niarobi from rural areas,” added Kinyua.
He said the Matatu which was ferrying the passengers was also towed to Murang’a police station and the driver put under quarantine.
“With new tricks people are using to travel to and from Nairobi, we have put nine roadblocks at different areas to contain movement to and from the larger Nairobi Metropolitan Area,” added Kinyua.
Residents, he said, have been of great help in reporting the people coming from areas where their government has announced lockdown.
“Local residents feel also unsafe when they come into contact with people from Nairobi or another area which have been declared as hotspot for Covid-19 infection,” the police commander further said.
He further said during the first 21 days of cessation in Nairobi, people adhered to government’s directive on movement but after the additional 21days, many people are out trying to evade road block and move to Nairobi.
Kinyua warned people trying to use ‘panya’ routes, saying the trend may frustrate efforts put to combat spread of covid-19.
By Bernard Munyao
