This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 5, 2020, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was forced to relocate COVID-19 testing to Likoni after angry youths in Old Town ejected a team of medical officials and threatened to burn down an ambulance.
The testing exercise was suspended following the incident, which occurred after rowdy youths barricaded the town's narrow streets, accusing the county government of trying to disrupt prayers during Ramadhan.
According to reports, the youths blocked vehicles from approaching the venue, claiming that the State had imposed restrictions against congregational prayers and the traditional Islamic way of life.
With 57 confirmed positive tests by May 5, 2020, out of Mombasa's 169 infections, Old Town has the highest infection rate in Kenya but is also proving the most resistant to containment measures.
On April 19, 2020, a famous herbalist and Islamic scholar, Mohamed bin Hassan alias Mwinyi Karama, died after testing positive for the virus, sparking a spiral of infections in the densely populated shanty town.
Attempts to test residents have been met with scepticism and opposition spurred by ignorance, myths, conspiracy theories, and incitement by some local clerics and politicians opposed to Governor Hassan Joho.
When tests were launched at two stations in Old Town late last week, only seven residents turned up, prompting the governor and local leaders to warn that they were courting a disaster.
On Monday evening, Governor Joho commended those who turned out for testing and warned those inciting others, saying, "I have seen a video some youths blocking the ambulance. Don't joke with us. Someone tell them to start vacating, we will hunt them wherever they are," he said.
Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo promised to bring the suspects to book, saying, "Those attempting to scuttle health officials from carrying out mass testing will face the full force of the law. We will not allow few individuals to plunge Mombasa into the grave," he said.
