This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
On Sunday, August 2, 2020, police raided a bar in Kenya associated with businesswoman Joyce Akinyi, arresting 14 people for breaching COVID-19 pandemic rules.
According to police, the bar's license may be cancelled for violating ministry of health rules on social distancing. The raid was part of efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic, which has killed nearly 400 people in Kenya with over 20,000 infected so far.
Outgoing Nairobi police boss Philip Ndolo said police have been conducting operations on premises flouting the rules. He added that more than 300 people were arrested over the weekend for breaching the rules.
However, Joyce Akinyi denied claims that the manager and waiters were selling alcohol, accusing police of harassment. She claimed that police rounded up people and took them to the station without granting them bail pending arraignment.
President Kenyatta had ordered the closure of all bars in the country until further notice as part of efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic. Sale of alcohol in restaurants was also banned.
