Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s move to have Old Town
area locked down to minimize the spread of covid-19 has been dealt a blow,
after Interior CS Fred Matiang’i countered such orders.
Addressing the National Assembly Delegated Committee, CS
Matiang’i Governors have no power to close borders of their respective counties.
The CS went ahead warning police officers against
implementing such orders adding that such a decision can only be made by the
National Security Council.
“I want to tell our police officers not to respect any
cessation of movement imposed by counties that is not approved by the National
Security Council and signed by the president.
“The Public Order Act is in black and white that cessation
can’t be issued by any other person other than the president,” the CS said.
Dr Matiang’i said he was only aware of the order issued by
the president restricting movement of people in out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale
and Kilifi due to the rising cases of coronavirus.
Over the weekend, Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho had threatened
to lock down Old Town area, after residents failed to turn up for mass testing.
The governor accused area dwellers of gathering in mosques
secretly, despite orders to stay at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mombasa is the second worst-hit county after Nairobi, as
coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country.
Other counties that have been dealt a blow after imposing
such orders include Murang’a, Mandera and Wajir.
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