Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi will be detained at the Port Police Station in Mombasa until Thursday. He is accused of faulting self-quarantine regulations on COVID-19
Mombasa Chief Magistrate – Edna Nyaloti, gave the order Monday after Saburi was arraigned before her to face charges of refusing to isolate himself upon arrival from an official trip to Germany on 6 March.
The prosecution sought to detain Saburi for 14 more days at Manyani prison pending completion of investigations, saying they were concerned over his safety because of how Kilifi residents reacted with anger over his actions; hence he could be subjected to mob justice if released.
The prosecution, further, argued that Saburi’s past record is testimony that he could defy a self-quarantine advisory from hospital after recovering from the coronavirus.
He is required to self-quarantine for a 14-day period following his release from Coast General Hospital Isolation Centre after recovering from COVID-19.
Saburi’s lawyers had objected to the prosecution’s appeal to have their client detained at Manyani GK Prison for 14 days, stating he was not a flight risk since he cannot flee outside the country as all international travel is suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kenya has 142 coronavirus cases as per the latest Ministry of Health figures released on Sunday, 5 April.
Four people have recovered from the virus, while four others, including a 66-year-old and a six-year-old patient have so far succumbed to the disease.
