Coronavirus in Kenya: City Kanjos Ordered to Suspend Arrests

Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has suspended with immediate effect all the arrests by the Nairobi City County Government Inspectorate and Enforcement officers until further notice.

The directive he has informed is in line with the  guidelines issued by HE the President Uhuru Kenyatta, to prevent the spread and exposure to COVID-19, commonly referred to as the Corona Virus which has since been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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City askaris making an arrest

This is due to the fact that the operations of all courts of law have been suspended, hence suspects cannot be arraigned in court within 24 hours, as provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Furthermore, many suspects are held in County vehicles for long periods of time before arraignment, and that environment violates WHO Guidelines on exposure to COVID-19.

However, these Departments Sonko has stated shall remain vigilant to ensure that all the County Laws are adhered to the letter.

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TAKEOVER: Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko signs the agreement at State House, Nairobi on February 25.

This is just one of a raft of measures Kenya has put in place since reporting its first case on Friday – that of a 27-year-old woman who flew in from the US via London.

The gravity of the crisis became clear when President Kenyatta decided to address the nation on Sunday.

Two more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, bringing to three the number of cases so far in the country.

“We have confirmed two more cases of coronavirus after tests conducted on people who were quarantined,” Uhuru said on Sunday, flanked by top government officials, including Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and George Magoha of Education.

The president  announced the closure of schools, and imposed sweeping travel restrictions.

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