Governor Kivutha Kibwana has warned of dire consequences for people caught sneaking into Makueni County.
In a communique released by the county on Thursday, April 23, Kibwana noted that there were a number of people from counties declared as Covid-19 epicentres who were using crooked means to sneak into the county.
"The committee notes with concern that despite the movement restrictions issued in Nairobi metropolitan, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Mandera counties, some people are sneaking into Makueni County from these areas.
"11 people have so far been arrested for sneaking out of the afore-mentioned counties," the governor informed.
Kibwana stated that going forward, any person found to have flouted the movement restriction law will be repatriated back to the county of origin and handed over to the authorities for legal action.
He further pronounced that the county had adopted measures that include adding extra roadblocks at Kola, the border of Machakos and Makueni County, which is notorious for the illegal crossings.
He also urged Members of the public to report any such persons who may have travelled into the county from the restricted areas for further action to be taken.
The governor also took the opportunity to shed a light on some of the measures that had been undertaken to ensure the area residents remain safe even amidst the outbreak of the pandemic.
"The county has increased surveillance through continuous screening of all persons entering Makueni at Kibwezi and Mtito-Andei by a multi-agency team. So far 27,000 travellers have been screened at the two roadblocks," he stated.
The governor also added that 44 bars have been raided and 80 revellers arrested for flouting the directives and are now set to face the full force of the law.
Kibwana urged members of the community to be responsible and support the government in fighting the pandemic for their own good.
"Members of the public are cautioned against spreading rumours, unverified information, discrimination and stigmatization of members of the community in relation to Covid-19," he concluded.
The government announced a cessation of movement in counties Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Mandera and Kwale.
