Commuters and matatu operators were arrested in Mombasa after police beganna crackdown on those scorning COVID-19 laws.
Changamwe police boss Joseph Kavoo said that over 100 matatus were seized during the Tuesday morning sweep.
He emphasised that the passengers had no masks and the vehicle operators had not provided them with water and soap to wash their hands.
Those caught will be arraigned in court later in the day and charged with ignoring public health rules.
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Violating Covid-19 Regulations
Measures published by the Ministry of Health when Covid-19 hit Kenya, required all public transport users to wear masks at all times.
The masks were also expected to cover the mouth and nose to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
A gazette notice published in local dailies stated that a person who violates this rule commits an offence.
“A person who commits an offence under these Rules shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh20,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both,” the notice read.
The rules directed every organization, business entity, trader or vendor whether in a market or enclosed premises to provide either water and soap to customers or an alcohol-based sanitizer approved by KEBS.
They are also required to put in place measures that ensure customers maintain a distance of no less than one-metre is maintained between persons accessing the premises.
Business entities, vendors, traders and organizations are also mandated to sanitize their premises on a regular basis, failure to which they also risk Ksh20,000 fine or imprisonment of six months.
