Court Blocks All Flights from China from Landing in Kenya over Coronavirus

A Nairobi court on Friday issued an order blocking all flights from China from landing in Kenya over coronavirus outbreak.

High Court Justice James Makau ordered the suspension of the flights from China until a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is heard and determined.

“A conservatory order be and is hereby issued in the form of a structural interdict compelling the 1st respondent to prepare and present to the court for scrutiny a contingency plan for prevention, surveillance, control and response systems to coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak in Kenya,” Justice Makau said.

LSK listed outgoing Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Transport CS James Macharia, China Southern Airlines, and Kenya Airports Authority as respondents in the case.

The suspension comes barely two days after a China Southern Airlines flight carrying 239 passengers landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The Health Ministry said all the passengers were cleared of coronavirus and advised to quarantine themselves for 14 days, something that sparked public outrage.