Drama as MP Refuses Mandatory Covid-19 Screening

Police officers at a road block in Tana River
Police officers at a roadblock in Tana River
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UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: Garsen MP Ali Wario, who had refused to be screened by Heath officials on Wednesday, March 25, has now agreed to be screened.

The MP is said to have gone back for screening while on his way to Malindi. Tana River County Police Commander Fredrick Ochieng stated that Wario's initial action was because he was in a rush to an official meeting.

"I talked to the MP and he told me he was rushing to a function to launch some projects and he was late," Ochieng stated, adding that after complying with the protocols, he was pardoned.


Garsen MP Ali Wario on Wednesday, March 25, landed in trouble after he refused to be screened for COVID-19 while entering Tana River County from Kilifi.

Garsen MP Ali Wario speaking to the press at a past event
Garsen MP Ali Wario speaking to the press at a past event
Daily Nation

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Tana River County Communication officer Steve Juma stated that Wario engaged in an argument with the officers and forcefully went through the checkpoint unscreened.

"He forcefully entered through the checkpoints unscreened," Juma stated.

On his part, Tana River CEC Javan Bonaya stated that when the MP arrived at the checkpoint in Kanagoni, he termed the exercise as annoying and refused to participate.

"Our field officers tried to speak to him about the screening but he refused and threatened to interfere with the entire exercise if he was not allowed to pass," Bonaya stated.

The legislator is also said to have tossed temperature test kits and threw away the spikes at the checkpoint before he drove off, leaving residents in utter shock.

While confirming the incident, Tana River County Commissioner Oning'oi Ole' Sosio accused the MP of disrespecting the set government directive of taking precautions against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

He stated that the area commander had received orders to arrest and charge him for putting the lives of others in danger.

The incident comes days after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) issued a statement affirming that anyone found guilty of infecting others with infectious diseases would be ordered to pay a fine of Ksh30,000 or serve a 3-year prison sentence, or both.

Kilifi Deputy Governor, Gideon Saburi, already faces prosecution after he refused to self-isolate following his arrival in the country from Germany via Amsterdam on March 6.

The Deputy Governor tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently receiving treatment at the Mbagathi Hospital.

A screening station at Tana River County
A screening station at Tana River County
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