This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
COVID-19 Lockdown in Eastleigh and Mombasa Old Town: Residents Face Challenges ¶
On May 7, 2020, the Kenyan government imposed a two-week lockdown in Eastleigh and Mombasa Old Town to contain the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown was declared as COVID-19 cases shot up, raising the national tally to 582.
Residents of Eastleigh and Mombasa Old Town are facing challenges as the government enforces the lockdown. Many locals, without masks, were gathered outside their houses, after deserting the streets which were patrolled by security forces.
"It is during Ramadhan, we will need food to break the fast, how will I feed my family?" Mohammed Haji, a father of ten, said, flanked by his neighbors. He wondered, "why are the rest of the markets like Gikomba operational? Why Eastleigh alone?"
Despite worrying statistics released by the government, Haji does not seem to understand why Eastleigh was targeted. By May 7, Eastleigh had more than 60 cases of COVID-19, a similar trend in Old Town in Mombasa where community infections were reported to be high.
Public transport, markets, and eateries were ordered closed or suspended in the two areas. Residents are worried about how they will feed their families and earn a living during the lockdown.
Abdul-Aziz Mukhtar, a truck driver and a resident of the area, lauded the government's timely intervention to contain the spread of COVID-19. He said, "Corona does not respect gender or age, we should all respect the government orders so that we can defeat this disease."
However, some residents are defying social distancing orders, and the government has deployed hundreds of police officers to enforce the lockdown.
