Kenyan Deputy Governor, Gideon Saburi, has been arrested for violating a Coronavirus quarantine order in the country and is set to spend three more days in police custody.
The Deputy Governor of Kenyan county ‘Kilifi’, Gideon Saburi, will remain in police custody for three more days following his arrest for disregarding a Coronavirus quarantine order. Despite the government’s directive for travelers entering the country from areas with confirmed cases of Coronavirus to self-isolate, Saburi ignored the precautionary measure and attended various events, including weddings and funerals, and interacted with county staff.
Saburi was apprehended by the police for failing to adhere to self-isolation upon his arrival in the country from Germany on March 5. Mombasa County DCIO, Anthony Mureithi, stated that the deputy governor will be interrogated before any charges are preferred against him.
After his arraignment on Monday April 6, a Kenyan court granted the prosecution’s request for the Kilifi Deputy Governor to spend three more days in police custody. The prosecution argued that Saburi needs to remain in self-imposed quarantine according to the recommendation of medical experts until a final Covid-19 test is conducted.
The prosecution sought more time to complete investigations and requested the court to detain Saburi for 14 days, expressing concerns about his compliance with quarantine measures. Saburi’s lawyer, George Kithi, countered the request by emphasizing the absence of evidence indicating that the deputy governor had tested positive for Covid-19.
The prosecution’s request for an extended detention was granted, and Saburi will spend three more days in police custody. The Deputy Governor is under scrutiny for his actions, with authorities seeking to determine whether he intentionally spread the virus. His case has sparked public outcry and raised questions about official response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya.
A video of the moment Saburi was arrested has also circulated, sparking discussions about the implications of public officials disregarding quarantine measures. The case has drawn attention to the importance of adhering to public health directives and the consequences of non-compliance during the Covid-19 crisis.