This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
On July 2, 2020, a Covid-19 patient escaped from an isolation centre in Nandi Hills, Nandi County, where he was being treated for the disease.
The patient, who was in his mid-thirties and an ex-soldier, had been under police custody over a robbery with violence case at Songor police station.
According to health officials, the patient was under surveillance before he broke free from the facility between 7 pm and 8 pm on the previous evening.
County Commandant Samson Ole Kinne revealed that the patient had managed to break the metallic bed he was chained to and sneak out of the facility without the knowledge of medical officers.
Three police officers who were manning the patient from outside the facility did not notice the patient's movement out of the isolation ward.
A health official at the isolation centre attributed the escape to a go-slow by the medical team due to the county government's failure to address their welfare concerns, including unpaid allowances and a lack of housing facilities.
Committee Executive Member (CEC) in-charge of health Mrs Ruth Koech blamed the security lapse, stating that police had not been cooperating with the medical team in ensuring proper handling of Covid-19 patients.
The suspect is now at large, putting the lives of community members at risk of contracting the disease.
Mr Kinne assured that the police are pursuing the criminal and expect to arrest him within 24 hours, with the assistance of reports from residents tracing his movements.
