41 people arrested for flouting COVID-19 protocols in Homa Bay

Police in Homa Bay county have heightened enforcement of COVID-19 protocols with 41 people arrested on Wednesday for flouting the rules.

They were arrested in various places across the county in an operation which saw four Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) impounded for carrying excess passengers.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said some people were found walking in the streets past curfew hours while others did not have face masks.

They were taken to various police stations awaiting arraignment in court where they will be charged with flouting COVID-19 prevention measures.

The impounded PSVs are at the Homa Bay Police Station and the drivers are to be charged as well.

Commissioner Lilan warned that they will continue with the crackdown to ensure those found flouting COVID-19 protocols are brought to book.

All public transport users are required to wear masks that must cover the mouth and nose as part of the measures announced by the Health Ministry to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“A person who commits an offence under these Rules shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh. 20,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both,” the Gazette notice reads.

Further, the notice states that anyone found flouting the regulations will have their vehicle detained at a police station or any other place that the IG designates pending arraignment in court and/or for the duration of the restriction period.

Kenya has so far recorded 72,686 cases from a cumulative sample size of 804,894.

Total number of recoveries stands at 49,878 while deaths from coronavirus are 1,313.