As a measure to manage and control the spread of Coronavirus within the country, the government put all persons flying into the country under mandatory quarantine in either a government facility or private hotels.
Those in quarantine are quite surprised at the high amount they are being billed for their upkeep, with some having being blocked from leaving until they clear the amount.
"When we flew in on March 23, we were informed after alighting that we are going into a mandatory 14-day quarantine and given options. However, after stating that we had no money, airport officials informed us that all the quarantine fees shall be taken care of by the government,'' Tobias one of the quarantined Kenyans at Kenyatta University lamented.
Tobias, a truck driver in the United Arab Emirates and his comrades are now accusing the government of tricking them into quarantine, instead of being honest with them about daily charges imposed on every individual in quarantine from when they arrived in the country.
''We are 11 of us in this facility, ten Kenyans and one Tanzanian. We have finished our recommended days in quarantine but can't go home due to the amount being asked.
Kenyatta University is demanding Ksh 38,000 per person from the 11 individuals for the 24 days that they have spent at the facility before they can be released, which the citizens say is too much for them, as they have no money.
"Initially we were 15 of us, luckily we all tested negative twice. Four of us through their families were able to pay the required amount but for us, we shall have to spend more time here as the amount is too high for us to manage,'' added Tobias.
Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna on a call with Kenyans.co.ke reiterated each individual is supposed to settle their bills in quarantine as the government is not covering the cost of any person unless in a special case.
Lorna, who worked as a house help in Saudi Arabi talked about her woes in quarantine, asking the government to have mercy on them and come to their aid so that they could rejoin their families.
For the three years that she was away, she didn't support her sister whom she left with her two children in Kenya and now feels ashamed to ask for help during this time of need.
''I have been in Saudi Arabia for three years and never sent any funds home as the money was meagre, with the boss deducting most of it due to penalties. When I got the chance to be back home, I could not let it pass as I was fed up.
"I am now facing another challenge stuck here with no help. I cannot ask my sister for help as I feel ashamed for not helping her take care of my two kids The government should have mercy on us. We are Kenyans and we have found ourselves in a situation that we did not expect," she pleaded.
Lorna used all her savings to purchase an air ticket to Nairobi.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/52078-kenyans-quarantine-facility-plan-demo
