This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mombasa's Old Town, a 1,000-year-old World Heritage site, has been under lockdown since May 18, 2020. The shutdown has brought both mental and physical strain to the 28,000 residents, who are accustomed to freedom and unfettered movement.
Unlike Eastleigh in Nairobi, which was placed under lockdown on the same day, Old Town is an ancient town built over 1,000 years ago, with residents holding sentimental attachment to its equally ancient houses. The area has dwindling sources of fresh water and relies on water sold by vendors from outside.
Residents like Alwy, who have owned their houses for centuries, are experiencing stress since they aren't used to being confined in their homes. 'You can hardly move two blocks from your house. We are used to roaming the neighbourhood, visiting friends and relatives but now you cannot even pray in a mosque or swim in the ocean,' Alwy says.
While some residents are happy with the government's provision of food rations and water, others are not letting the lockdown interfere with their jobs. There are claims of residents bribing the police to be allowed to move out of the town where they work or own businesses.
According to Hussein Khalid, Haki Africa executive director, lifestyles for many residents have been turned upside down after their businesses closed down. 'Many people have lost their sources of income because they depended on commodities from outside Old Town. They have been confined to their houses and heavily rely on handouts,' he said.
Human rights groups like Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) have protested the manner in which the lockdown was implemented, saying it was inhumane as food distribution and water supply were not planned before it came into force.
