Nairobi Regional Commissioner James Kianda has defended police officers for mounting roadblocks on Thika Road and other highways in Nairobi County to effect curfew orders.
Kianda says the chaotic Saturday night roadblocks were necessary as many Nairobians were flouting the curfew regulations ordered by the government to contain Covid-19 infections.
The police boss promised Nairobians the blockade will continue for the entire period of the curfew.
“The operation was necessitated by Kenyans who have been defying curfew hours repeatedly. Nairobians should expect more going forward. It was not possible to arrest people because of numbers but several revelers were arrested and they will appear in court,” said Kianda.
He assured essential service providers that their plight will be considered, while appealing to employers to release their workers early enough to beat the 8pm curfew time.
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“Essential workers and emergencies have nothing to worry about because our officers are professional and they are guided by law. We urge employers to use the previous guidelines and release their employees on time so that they can beat curfew time. We are also looking at the matatus who are carrying beyond the required capacity,” he added.
Kianda vowed that police will crack down on bars and restaurants which have been operating in Nairobi County violating President Uhuru Kenyatta’s closure directive.
Nairobi motorists, commuters and essential service providers were stranded on Thika Road for hours on Saturday night as police blocked the road at 8p to effect the curfew directives.
