How Government officials are flouting the coronavirus regulations

A section of the public officials has demonstrated they are ready to risk their jobs to keep up with old habits in the face of the deadly coronavirus.

This was evident this week, following arrest of a Deputy County Commissioner in a bar in Komarock, Nairobi, putting the spotlight on government officers accused of breaching the same regulations they are supposed to enforce to curb coronavirus.

The official was arrested on Wednesday night together with five other people.

Police acting on a tip off, ambushed the group taking alcohol in an outlet at around 7pm.

Earlier, nine people including police officers were found in a bar in Mbotela estate, Nairobi. 

Locked up

President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered closure of bars indefinitely as a safety precaution to stop the spread of the disease.

Police officers across the country have been cracking down on revelers still enjoying their drink under the cover of darkness.

According to police reports, the public reported that there were people locked up in a bar at around 8pm.

Officers from Makongeni Police Station flushed out the officers from the bar and disarmed one who had a pistol.

The suspects are Administration Police officers attached to the CIPU –the police unit responsible for guarding government buildings in Nairobi.

Among the charges that the police intend to press include failure to comply with government regulations relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and resisting arrest.

Yesterday, Police spokesman Charles Owino declined to comment on the arrests.

Sources within the security circles told Saturday Standard that a multi-agency team had been constituted to check government officials flouting the Covid-19 regulations.

Receive information

The team has been incorporated in the five new command centres created in Nairobi on Thursday.

The 24-hour command centres will receive information related to coronavirus.

In Murang’a South for instance, investigations by Saturday Standard revealed that a bar operated by a bodyguard of a legislator is still operational despite the presidential directive. 

Revellers access the bar located in Karugia, using the back door.

Police officers in the area have been accused of turning a blind eye to the proprietor who opens as early as 7am.

“When we visit other bars, we are arrested and beaten but there (at the officers joint) we are fine said a resident who requested anonymity.”