Garsen MP Ali Wario is now off the police hook after he reportedly complied with Covid-19 screening at Kanagoni in Tana River County and forced to quarantine.
The MP, who had earlier refused to be screened while on his way from Kilifi County, where the deputy governor tested positive, reportedly went back for the test on his way back to Malindi.
A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of diseases–coronavirus in this case.
Tana River Health CEC Javan Bonaya said the legislator arrived at a check-point in Kanagoni after crossing from Kilifi and refused to be screened. The MP allegedly termed the exercise as annoying.
“Our field officers tried to speak to him about the screening but he refused and threatened to interfere with the entire exercise if he was not allowed to pass,” said Mr Bonaya.
On Monday the emergency response team led by Governor Dhadho Godhana resolved that roadblocks must be erected at the Kilifi border to check all motorists entering Tana River County.
Mr Wario reportedly tossed temperature test kits and threw away the spikes at the check-point. He drove off to the shock of other residents who had lined up for the screening.
Tana River County Commissioner Oning’oi Ole’Sosio accused the MP of acting in defiance of government directive.
RUSHING TO A FUNCTION
Tana River County Police Commander Fredrick Ochieng said the legislator claimed his initial action was influenced by a rush to an official meeting for which he was running late.
“I talked to the MP and he told me he was rushing to a function to launch some projects and he was late. That is why whatever happened, happened” he said.
The police boss said the legislator complied with directives hence the reason to pardon him.
Corona in Kenya
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced a countywide curfew from 7 pm to 5 am starting Friday in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In an address to the nation, the President also outlined new measures to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.
The President announced a 100 percent tax relief for Kenyans earning a gross salary of less than Sh24,000 and reduced income tax down from 30 percent to 25 percent.
Members of the Cabinet will take pay cuts to “share the burden occasioned by the global health pandemic”, President Kenyatta announced. The salary reductions will be as follows:
- The President and Deputy President – 80 percent
- Cabinet Secretaries – 30 percent
- Chief Administrative Secretaries – 30 percent
- Principal Secretaries – 20 percent
The confirmed Covid-19 cases in Kenya rose by three cases Wednesday, bringing the tally to 28.
CS Mutahi Kagwe said that at least 700 people who came into contact with the patients remain under close monitoring by the Ministry of Health.
