Six people have been sent to forced quarantine after they broke the public health law in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Nakuru County.
County Commissioner, Erastus Mbui Mwenda, said the group was sent to Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) isolation facility after they were found taking illicit brews outside the curfew hours.
The suspects were arrested at Kirima Top area Village within Nakuru North Sub-County.
The County Security Committee said the Administrator had activated the Nyumba Kumi initiative to help in tracking members of the public moving or congregating during curfew hours and that technology would also be used in tracking those violating the curfew restriction order.
“The area chief received a tip-off from members of the Nyumba Kumi Committee about people who were reveling past curfew hours. The Chief and administration police officers swung into action and managed to arrest the six,” stated Mr. Mbui.
Mbui revealed that the six were later moved to Kiamaina Police Post where charges of disobeying curfew restriction order, contravening the Ministry of Health directives against social gathering and drinking illicit brews were preferred.
“Once they complete their forced quarantine they will be arraigned before a court of law to answer to the charges. Stricter measures will be put in place unless people are disciplined,” warned the Administrator.
Mbui said the government has enough centres to hold those who violate the rules and urged for compliance. He warned that bar owners will be punished for allowing revelers into their premises.
The Administrator affirmed that the issue of quarantine shall not be stopped because of inability to pay and warned those caught breaking the law will be quarantined at their own cost.
“People need to take this thing seriously. If the government says no to gatherings and drinking of alcoholic drinks, it means so. If you are told you have to be in your house by 7PM please oblige. The six are going into quarantine and nobody will sponsor them during that period,” he said.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, on Sunday announced that the government had introduced a new measure to ensure compliance with the curfew hours in the fight against Covid-19.
Dr. Mwangangi said that Kenyans found outside of their houses during curfew will now be assumed to have contacted suspected cases of coronavirus and will, therefore, be placed under quarantine.
“Going forward, fellow Kenyans, all those who break the curfew rules will be assumed to have been in contact with suspected cases, hence, will be quarantined for a period of 14 days,” she said.
By Anne Mwale
Six Drunkards Put on Forced Quarantine
