This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On Tuesday, a group of people under quarantine at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) headquarters in Nairobi made a daring escape, leaving authorities scrambling to track them down.
According to eyewitnesses, the escapees climbed over the wall and landed on Mbagathi Road, blending in with pedestrians and making their way towards Nairobi West.
The facility, which is currently housing over 200 people found through contact tracing or arrested for flouting curfew and social distancing rules, has been criticized for its inhumane conditions and lack of transparency.
Some of the escapees allegedly made their escape on Monday night, taking advantage of the rains, while others escaped during breakfast when law enforcement agencies were distracted.
"When we lined up for food, they could be heard saying that the Sh2,000 per day rate was too expensive," read an anonymous message from someone believed to be quarantined at KMTC.
The Health ministry officials confirmed the escape and are working with their Interior counterparts to track down the escapees, but could not give the exact number of those who escaped.
Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi said, "We will share more information in due time."
The incident has sparked concerns about the spread of the coronavirus and the government's handling of quarantine centres, with various groups complaining that the conditions at some centres are defeating all the intentions of the government in controlling the spread of the virus.
