This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 19, 2020, police in Nairobi arrested 39 women at a wedding party in Komarock's Nasra Estate, sparking a quarantine order that will keep them isolated for 14 days at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
The arrest came as the Kenyan government enforced a nationwide ban on gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19. According to eyewitnesses, the women were gathered in a room without observing social distancing, despite wearing masks.
Police officers arrived at the scene after receiving a tip from members of the public who had reported the gathering. By the time the officers arrived, the party was still ongoing.
One of the women arrested admitted to committing an offense, stating, “Tumekubali makosa yetu, tunajua harusi haikubaliwi, inakubaliwa ya watu wachache, kama tumeshikwa tupelekwe police station tumekubali makosa yetu.”
Kenya's Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Mercy Mwangangi, warned that anyone found outside during curfew hours will be subjected to mandatory quarantine at their own cost after being arrested.
As of April 20, 2020, Kenya had reported a total of 270 COVID-19 cases, with 14 people having succumbed to the disease.
