Kenyans Filmed Using 'Panya Route' to Sneak into Nairobi After Uhuru Travel Ban [VIDEO]

Hours after President Kenyatta banned the movement of people in and out of Nairobi metropolitan area to stem the spread of coronavirus, it has emerged that some Kenyans are flouting the directive.

A video shared on social media on Tuesday shows a group of Kenyans using shortcuts, locally known as ‘panya routes’, to cross into Nairobi metropolis after police barricaded all roads leading to the city.

In the video reportedly captured in Kangundo, dozens of Kenyans are seen trooping into Nairobi on foot using an informal pathway near a river to escape the police roadblock placed on the main highway.

One of the men in the video bashes the government for making decisions that hurt ordinary citizens.

“Wapende wasipende tutaboa. Walifungua airport, wakaleta Wachina, sasa sisi ndio tunaumia na hawajali wananchi na sisi hatuna corona,” he says. 

He adds: “Hivi ndivyo Wakenya wanaumia, nyinyi mko State House mnakula maembe.”

People don’t want to stay away from Nairobi.... pic.twitter.com/boMF6Gd006

— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) #StayHomeSaveLives (@Asmali77) April 7, 2020

On Monday, Uhuru banned travel in and out of Nairobi metropolis, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa counties for a period of 21 days to contain the transmission of the virus. The four are the most affected areas with Nairobi accounting for 82 percent of total Covid-19 infections in Kenya.

“Any person, motorcycles, scooters, vehicles, vessels, railway wagons or aircraft shall not be allowed in the Nairobi Metropolitan area, Kilifi, Kwale or in Mombasa,” said Uhuru.

He added: “The movement of food supplies and other cargo will continue as normal during the declared containment period through road, railway, and air. Any cargo-carrying vehicle or vessel shall be charged to a single driver and designated assistants; all of whom shall be designated as such in writing by the owner or operator of the said vehicle or vessel with reference to that vehicle or vessel.”