March 18, 2024

Kilifi Deputy Governor Arrested After Quarantine Discharge

Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi after he was arrested by detectives at The Coast Province General Hospital on Friday. Image; Mwakwaya Raymond.

BY COAST NEWSPAPER TEAM

Email.thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers have arrested the Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi immediately he was released on April 3, 2020 after spending a 10 day forced quarantined at the Coast Referral Hospital.

His arrest follows the Ministry of Health directive he would face the law after declining to self-quarantine himself on arrival from Germany.

For over three hours, the DG engaged the officers in a mouse-and-cat game before surrendering to them where they handcuffed and whisked him away in a convoy of two vehicles.

In his Thursday briefings (April 2, 2020), the health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe indicated that the DG had fully recovered from COVID-19 and would face the rule of law on discharge.

The CS said the Kilifi chief would be prosecuted for flouting the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine as directed by the government.

CAMPED

The detectives camped at the hospital as early as 11 am ready to pounce on Mr Saburi immediately he was discharged from his ward room.

He was finally arrested and handcuffed at about 2.20 pm. Sources say the DG played the officers to buy time for his lawyer to come and rescue him.

Kilifi DG Gideon Saburi being escorted out of hospital precincts after arrest on Friday. Image ; Mwakwaya Raymond

The DG had earlier travelled to Germany a COVID19 stricken country.

The DG was bundled in a pick-up police van and rushed to the Kilindini Port Police Station escorted by a fleet of detectives’ vehicles.

There was no any officer from Kilifi County nor the political leadership.

The DG struck headlines after it emerged he endangered the lives of tens of people who came into contact with him after returning from abroad.

He’s said to have attended several functions among them the International Women’s Day and burial ceremonies.

Meanwhile,  the retired Bishop Julius Katoi Kalu has urged Kenyans to forgive the DG saying he did not intentionally commit the crime.

Retired ACK Bishop Julius Katoi Kalu. Image; (Courtesy)

Kalu says the DG has apologized and should be forgiven as this is his first mistake.

“I would like to plead with all Kenyans to understand that Saburi is a human being like any other person and am pretty sure that he did not deliberately commit the mistake,” he said.

Kilifi Members of County Assembly have already vowed to impeach the DG saying he acted recklessly and selfishly.

Led by Deputy Speaker Stanley Kenga, the MCAs said they would strongly support the impeachment motion against the DG once it is tabled on the floor of the house.

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