This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 6, 2020, the government announced a lockdown of Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Eastleigh, a key commercial hub, is home to dozens of busy shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants, with goods sold including imports from China and Dubai.
The lockdown, which will last for 15 days, is expected to hurt small businesses already struggling due to the broken supply chain and the isolation of Nairobi.
According to Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe, the lockdown is necessary to contain the spread of infection in these areas.
"In order to contain the spread of infection in these areas...there shall be cessation of movement in and out of Eastleigh...and Old Town Mombasa effective from today (yesterday) for the next 15 days," he said.
The lockdown comes as the ministry reported 47 new cases, the highest tally ever recorded in the country within 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases to 582.
