Lanet Barracks Put Under Lockdown

An image of President Uhuru Kenyatta Inspecting a parade during the 3rd Anniversary of KDF Day at Lanet Barracks on 14 October 2014.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Inspects a parade during the 3rd Anniversary of KDF Day at Lanet Barracks on 14 October 2014.

Ministry of Defense

UPDATE Monday, April 6: Two Standard Group journalists have been summoned by the  Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over the story of the Lanet Army Barracks being under lockdown over Covid-19. 

Nakuru County DCI officer Michael Mwenze summoned Julius Chepkwony and Daniel Chege on Monday via a text message demanding they disclose the source of their information. 

“I Michael Mwenze a Senior Superintendent of Police attached to Nakuru County as Criminal Investigations officer and investigating a case of publication of false information Contrary to Section 23 of the computer misuse and cyber-crimes act No. 5 of 2018, do hereby compel you Chepkwony to appear before me at the County Criminal Investigations Office at Nakuru DCI headquarters,” read the SMS.


Lanet Army Barracks in Nakuru has been placed under lockdown after a soldier was reported to have come into contact with a patient who tested positive for Covid-19. 

A medical personnel holding a Covid-19 virus test kit.
File image of a Covid-19 testing kit.
Twitter

The decision comes after one of the soldiers from the barracks came into contact with a relative who had travelled from Mombasa.

The Soldier who is stationed at Lanet barracks was staying with a 20-year-old lady who is the sister to his wife.

The 20-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital after testing positive for the virus

According to reports, the lady had fled home from Mombasa after her mother fell sick.

An interview with a source from the barracks who sought anonymity confirmed the news, "Yes we have a lockdown, we are not allowed to leave the barracks.

"This is after one of us come into contact with a person who later tested positive for Coronavirus. The situation is not bad we have just been told to be cautious and to remain in camp.

"The test results for the solider are yet to be revealed but we are hoping for the best."

The number of soldiers who came into contact with the soldier in question is yet to be determined but a list of his close contacts are being drawn.

The lockdown comes after Lamu Lappset project site was also placed under lockdown following a directive from the county government on Tuesday, March 24.

Many have been calling for a lockdown in Kenya including Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo who urged Members of the National Assembly to return to parliament and enact a lockdown bill.

Coronavirus cases have spiked in Kenya in the last three days with the total number of infected cases now standing at 122 with four fatalities. 

Medical practitioners at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Medical practitioners at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
KENYANS.CO.KE
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