This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, Coast Police launched a crackdown on residents in Mombasa who were defying the government's directive on wearing face masks in public.
According to reports, 81 people were arrested in six sub-counties, including the ferry, Kongowea market, and various bus termini, for failing to adhere to the public health regulations.
County Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi warned that business would not be as usual, and officers were enforcing the government directive to curb the spread of the disease.
During the crackdown, 22 private vehicles and 43 motorcycles were impounded.
Commander Nthumbi expressed regret that some PSV vehicles were already flouting the rules by ferrying excess passengers, despite the directive issued by the Ministry of Health.
"We arrested 81 people, some were taken to court and released on bond while others were released on police bond to appear in court later," said Nthumbi.
Mombasa has been flagged as a COVID-19 hot spot due to its high ratio of infections in the country.
