KDF denies partial lockdown of barracks after Covid-19 scare

Kenya’s military has denied putting any of its barracks under partial lockdown amid media reports that dozens of soldiers are being treated at an isolation centre for Covid-19.

Kenya Defence Forces spokesperson Colonel Zipporah Kioko told the BBC that movement in and out of barracks had not been restricted, but measures had been put in place to protect the soldiers.

The measures include mass testing, routine checks of body temperature, wearing of face masks and hand sanitation points in all barracks.

Local television station Citizen TV on Sunday quoted unnamed sources as saying that one soldier had died from Covid-19 and dozens were being treated at an isolation centre.

It reported that Kahawa barracks in the capital, Nairobi, had been placed under restriction of movement.

Col Kioko promised to give a detailed statement later on any coronavirus infections among soldiers.

Kenya has so far confirmed 4,738 coronavirus cases from 140,012 samples tested. Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe on Sunday warned that the rising numbers could soon stretch the country’s health facilities.