Is the government using forced quarantine to punish curfew breakers or to combat covid 19?
The conditions at KMTC and other quarantine centers are pathetic to say the least.
According to an account by musician Eko Dydda. His story will make you shade tears. Those in quarantine are coarting death.
Here is his story on what’s happening at KMTC Mbagathi.
” When we arrived, we were told this is prison, it’s not quarantine and we are prisoners. We weren’t tested during arrest and we shared the cell in Kilimani Police Station with other people. At the quarantine centre, people arrested all over are in the same place. The only time you get out of the room is to go pick food but people here aren’t observing rules. They’re bitter, because no tests were taken and they feel they might get infected with Coronavirus. The quarantine is like a dormitory but with individual cubicles, we are sharing toilets and bathrooms. We have been told we shall be tested after 14 days, and if one or two people are found to be positive, all of us shall be held in quarantine for another 14 days(Maybe untill we all test positive and die of covid 19). Most of the people here, are from the ghetto, those who couldn’t afford to bribe the police, and l don’t think they will afford to pay the quarantine charges after 14days. It seems the government is trying to justify spending the Coronavirus budget on forced quarantines.”
Ekko Dydda noted.
“Police aren’t only targeting motorists. Police are doing swoops in low-income areas and arresting people for simply walking around. My friend was extorted out of Ksh10,000 at Buru Buru Police Station, to get his younger brother and his friend released. The police arrested them while they were standing outside their house chilling. They were given an option to pay the bribe, or be taken to quarantine at their own cost. Kenya isn’t yet on lockdown but KenyaPoliceForce and their bosses at Police Headquarters have found a way to make quick money. The threat of quarantine is forcing people to bribe. What will happen to those who can’t afford to pay quarantine fees, will they be sent to! prison?” quiped Human rights activist Bonface Mwangi.
