Special Forces Deployed to Hunt Kenyans Escaping Nairobi Lockdown

Police putting up a road block in Nairobi CBD
Police mount up a roadblock in Nairobi CBD in June 2020.

The Kenya Police has enhanced its capacity in manning the border points of the one zoned area following reports of Kenyans using illegal routes commonly referred to as panya routes to move in and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru counties.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi stated that a security team would enhance surveillance on the illegal routes in addition to more officers manning the roadblocks.

The security team comprises a network heaed by the Regional Commissioner and includes the County Commissioners and Deputy County Commissioners, National Police Service officers, Administration police officers, criminal investigations officers, prison warders, forest officers, and other government agencies.

An undated image of New Nairobi Regional Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi.
An undated image of New Nairobi Regional Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi.
File

"We have directed sub-county police commanders to ensure that their areas are patrolled adequately to avoid people committing offenses," he added.

Since President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the cessation of movement in the counties, there have been incidences of residents using dubious means to get through the roadblocks including bribing the officers.

At the same time, Nairobi Regional Commissioner James Kianda announced that all police commanders in the county would erect a second police check to apprehend those who have managed to escape the official roadblock

A group of businessmen with private vehicles has since emerged offering to illegally ferry travelers.

The motorists are reported to charge between Ksh5,000 and Ksh6,000 to counties such as Malaba, Busia, Kakamega, Homa Bay and others.

Boda boda riders have also been warned against sneaking commuters into and out of the disease-infected Counties.

"I am also warning bodaboda operators carrying people after curfew hours that they will not be spared.

"They have to conform to the regulations, those who disobey risk being taken to court and having their boda bodas impounded," police commander Thumbi affirmed.

The official locations of the roadblocks were announced with Nairobi County not having any since the county is sandwiched between Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado Counties

A road block in Nairobi
Police erect a roadblock on a road in Nairobi on June 2019.
Photo
NPS

 

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