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Sonko stops all arrests by Kanjo indefinitely

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

Kanjo powerless

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko bars city inspectorate "Kanjo" from making arrests indefinitely says Coronavirus, suspended court functions informed decision

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has barred the Nairobi City County Inspectorate and Enforcement departments from making arrests in the city.

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In a statement released on Tuesday, Governor Sonko explained that the move is in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta's directives on measures that need to be taken to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

"I have suspended with immediate effect all the arrests by the Nairobi City County Government Inspectorate and Enforcement officers until further notice," the Governor's statement read in part.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko bars city inspectorate "Kanjo" from making arrests indefinitely says Coronavirus, suspended court functions informed decision
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko bars city inspectorate "Kanjo" from making arrests indefinitely says Coronavirus, suspended court functions informed decision Pulse Live Kenya

Suspended Court operations

The Governor also explained that suspended court functions will interfere with the due process of justice for arrested suspects and put them in danger of contracting the virus.

"This is informed by the fact that the operations of all courts of law have been suspended, hence suspects cannot be arraigned in court within 24 hours, as provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

"Furthermore, many suspects are held in County vehicles for long periods of time before arraignment, and that environment violates WHO Guidelines on exposure to COVID-19," Governor Sonko explained.

Chief Justice David Maraga had, just hours before Governor Sonko's announcement, suspended all mentions of cases involving persons held in remand prisons.

Chief Justice David Maraga
Chief Justice David Maraga Pulse Live Kenya

CJ Maraga referred to guidelines set by the National Council for Administration of Justice on the ways of mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

"Dates shall be given, on a priority basis, for mention of the matters affected by the suspension as soon as the situation normalizes," Maraga's statement outlined.

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

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