Sonko suspends County ‘Askaris’ arrests in Nairobi

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Packed nairobi County askaris vehicle. Sonko has suspended all arrests by the County Askaris until further notice./COURTESY

Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has suspended arrests by the Nairobi City County Inspectorate and Enforcement Departments in the city.

Sonko says the suspension is in line with the directives issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta to prevent the spread and exposure to Coronavirus.

“I have suspended with immediate effect all the arrests by the Nairobi County Government Inspectorate and Enforcement officers until further notice. This is informed by the fact that the operations of all courts of law have been suspended, hence suspects cannot be arraigned within 24 hours, as provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” said the Governor.

According to Governor Sonko, many suspects are held in County vehicles for long periods of time before arraignment, and that environment violates WHO Guidelines on exposure to COVID-19.

“However these departments will remain vigilant to ensure that all the County Laws are adhered to the Letter,” said Sonko.

So far, there are three confirmed cases in Nairobi with patients being treated at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

The government is monitoring three other patients suspected to have the virus. The three are in isolation awaiting test results.

14 other people are in quarantine, also awaiting test results.

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