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More than 2,000 people were yesterday charged in various courts across the country for violating Covid-19 and curfew regulations.

Most of the suspects pleaded guilty and were fined between Sh1,000 and Sh5,000 each or serve between two weeks and a month in jail.

Those who were unable to pay fines were committed to community service, supervised by probation officers. 

National Police Service headquarters said among the suspects charged included 950 people, who were arrested on Sunday night.

The arrest brought to about 4,350 people nabbed in just two days. In Nairobi, over 267 people were charged at an open court at the Moi International Sports Complex Kasarani. 

Officers from various stations escorted the suspects in lorries to the stadium, to avoid congestion as they awaited to be charged.

Speaking to People Daily, a suspect, Eric Munene, said he was arrested while going to watch Premier league match of Arsenal versus Aston Villa at Mwiki area at 10pm on Sunday.  

At 11.50am,  the suspects were dragged in the open court before Senior Principal Bernard Ochoi where they faced charges of driving past curfew time, not wearing a mask and loitering.

 Ochoi directed that those who will not pay the fines be given community service orders and  supervised by probation officers.

A mother of  a seven-month old child was among those charged yesterday in Thika where Senior Magistrate Oscar Wanyaga warned Ms  Susan Wambui  and directed her to follow the rules and regulations henceforth.

In Nakuru, over 100 people were also charged  before Principal Magistrate Lilian Arika. 

Suspects were charged that on diverse dates between November 6 and 8, they willfully contravened Covid-19 regulations.

The court heard that the accused had breached curfew orders, failed to maintain physical distance and  wear mask.

Those presented in the court  included revellers, bar attendants, bouncers and owners of the facilities across the county.

According to the charge sheet, the accused were arrested between 10pm and 2am with some of the affected bars including SEBS, Simba Bar, Jacaranda and Good Valley, among others.

They were later released on a cash bail each ranging between Sh2,000 and 10,000 or in default spend time behind bars.

On Saturday night, about 2,400 people were arrested, mostly in clubs, and another 100 bars closed. – Nancy Gitonga, Zadock Angira, Roy Lumbe, Mathew Ndung’u