Look for all 239 passengers who entered Kenya on Feb. 26 on a China flight, and quarantine them at a KDF facility, judge orders Matiang’i

High Court Judge James Makau has ordered Interior minister Fred Matiang’i and former Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki to trace all the 239 passengers who arrived in Kenya via the JKIA on Wednesday, February 26, and quarantine them in a KDF facility.

The 239 passengers travelled to Kenya in China Southern Airlines plane.

Justice Makau issued the order after two doctors filed a petition in court on Friday seeking to have China flights barred from entering the country in the wake of coronavirus fears.

In the application, Joseph Mwendwa Mzalendo and Cyprian Mwirabua, sought to have the Kenyan Government blocked from allowing into the country passengers from China or other countries that have been hit hard by coronavirus.

The two doctors sought to have the orders applied to air transport, land and sea travel.

Mzalendo and Mwirabua argue that the right to human life supersedes any economic interest.

The two also observed that Kenya -- as of now -- lacks the technological and medical facilities to contain coronavirus.

The doctors said the ministries of Interior and Health should have consulted the public and relevant professionals before making decisions that could end up hurting the citizens.

Justice James Makau, as a result, ordered that Sicily and Kariuki should look for and isolate all the 239 passengers who entered Kenya from China recently.