This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
On May 7, 2020, the Kenyan government implemented a 15-day lockdown in Old Town, Mombasa County, to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Heavy security personnel were deployed to seal off all entry and exit points, with the presence of security personnel confirmed at all entry and exit points.
Old Town, a tourist attraction site, had recorded 57 positive cases of COVID-19 by May 6, 2020, making it the highest in Mombasa County, which had a total of 202 infections.
The lockdown led to the closure of Mackinnon Market in Markiti area and several other shops and malls.
Traders at Mackinnon Market pleaded with security personnel to be allowed to remove their perishable goods, but their requests were unsuccessful.
"Some of us don't live in Old Town, but we have stalls in the market and it's only fair to be allowed to conduct our business, which is the only source of income," said Mohamed Salim, a trader.
The lockdown affects areas including Mji wa Kale, Mlango wa Papa, Kuze, Makadara, Kibokoni, and Baghani.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the lockdown, citing the surge in coronavirus cases in the area.
Residents are allowed to go about their business within their boundaries, and the government will conduct mass testing in the area during the lockdown period.
However, the Mombasa County government had to halt mass testing in Old Town due to hostility from area residents.
County Chief Health Officer Ms Aisha Abubakar said the exercise was halted after days of standoff with area residents, who were angered by Governor Hassan Joho's remarks that they would be forced to undergo testing.
Abubakar noted that only 197 people presented themselves for testing out of a targeted 28,000 population during the three-day exercise.
The government has assured residents that the lockdown is not a punishment but a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
