Lockdown Declared in Nairobi Prison

Kenya Police Officers inspecting a prison facility.
Kenya Police Officers inspecting a prison facility.
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A 30-day total lockdown has been declared in a Nairobi prison after 45 prisoners tested positive for Covid-19.

Making the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday, October 6, Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman asked the relevant authorities to comply with the directive while ensuring the criminal justice system is not disrupted.

The CAS said visits to the prison will remain suspended as authorities try to contain the spread of the disease.

“The Justice sector particularly the judiciary, police and prisons are expected to work on a mechanism to deal with this emerging issue, to ensure the criminal justice system is not disrupted," he explained.

Health CAS Rashid Aman addressing a presser at Afya House on Monday May 11, 2020.
Health CAS Rashid Aman addressing a presser at Afya House on Monday, May 11, 2020.

He further explained that the latest finding also meant that the admission of new remandees has been suspended until further notice.

55% of the confirmed cases in Nairobi over the last 24 hours came from that particular remand prison. 

He was quick to point out that the identity of the detention facility was being kept under wraps to avoid any potential of inciting panic.

The latest report comes the same day Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha announced that schools would be officially reopening on Monday, October 6.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo has since raised his reservations on the whole arrangement. 

"Public Schools are not prepared to handle students. No funds have been disbursed to schools since March this year. No school ( particularly boarding schools ) will in the next 7 days procure the sanitizers and other requirements. Some decisions are too grave to be rushed," he warned.

On Tuesday, Kenya recorded  137 new Covid-19 infections after 1,258 samples were tested over the same period. 8 patients succumbed to the disease bringing the total number of deaths to 743.

Worryingly 33 of the 34 cases recorded in Turkana on the day all came from the Kakuma refugee camp

A day earlier, the Health CAS cautioned Kenyans against throwing caution to the wind regarding the threat posed by Covid-19.

An aerial photo of Kakuma Refugee Camp.
An aerial photo of Kakuma Refugee Camp.
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