Kenya’s police recent crackdown on the curfew violators on major city roads has elicited mixed reactions across the East African country.
Dozens of police erected barricades on various major roads and highways to nab on motorists past 8 pm local time, the time when curfew begins.
Hundreds of Kenyans caught up past the curfew time were stuck in traffic for hours.
Those caught up in traffic included students, essential workers and patients being rushed to the hospitals.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 26 announced a ban on all inland travel in the capital Nairobi and out four other counties.
The new restrictions meant no road, rail, or air transport will be permitted in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos, and Nakuru.
As for curfew, hours now start at 20:00 until 04:00 am (instead of 22:00 until 04:00 am`) in the five counties.
Special passes that allowed people to travel during curfew hours were also revoked.
Kenya’s Covid-19 cases were on a steady rise till the end of March.
"According to our health experts, our third wave started to gain strength in early March," said Kenyatta.
The peak of this wave is expected in the next 30 days, with more than 2,500 to 3,000 cases per day," he added.
-Mixed reactions-
A number of Kenyans express their displeasure with the new crackdown, citing several reasons including lack of commuter services from the capital.
Who thinks for this Country? Surely! So they decide to mount a road block in the middle of Thika Road because people couldn’t get home by 8pm?!... What nonsense is this?!...you want to tell me now Corona won’t be able to pass that roadblock?!? What the hell is going on?!?! pic.twitter.com/XwZ2hLOQuN
— Xtian Dela™ (@xtiandela) April 17, 2021
GOVERNMENT should not be BULLIED by COWARDS on social media. If they want a REVOLUTION, tell them to BRING it on. In FACT, let's begin the REVOLUTION at 9PM TONIGHT on Thika Road! ZERO. These COWARDS will be at home by 6 PM after yesterday. Bure Kabisa!
— Mutahi Ngunyi (@MutahiNgunyi) April 18, 2021
#SilahaMitaani happening now in Thika road... Roads closed pic.twitter.com/yWOt8rQqQC
— Blacklion Media (@MediaBlacklion) April 18, 2021
#SilahaMitaani happening now in Thika road... Roads closed pic.twitter.com/yWOt8rQqQC
— Blacklion Media (@MediaBlacklion) April 18, 2021
Kenyatta also ordered the closure of bars and schools in Nairobi.
"Whereas the foregoing measures will have a negative impact on the economy, these measures are temporary... the cost of not acting now will be much greater," Mr. Kenyatta said.
