This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
Stranded truckers in Mai Mahiu town pose a significant threat to the fight against the spread of Covid-19. The town, located 30 kilometres from Naivasha, has become a hotspot for the virus, with eight cases confirmed in the last two weeks, all among truckers.
According to Nakuru's Health executive, Kariuki Gichuki, the drivers' presence has put the town's residents at risk. 'At the moment, the laboratory has run out of testing kits, and this leaves residents at risk as they freely mingle with the drivers,' Gichuki said.
Naivasha Sub-county Commissioner Mbogo Mathioya blamed the drivers for the current virus caseload, stating that some of the truckers travelled from Mombasa without Covid-19 certificates. 'From now, any driver arriving from Mombasa without the certificate will be forced to turn back as the ICD only targets drivers coming to collect goods destined for nearby countries,' Mathioya said.
Residents are split on the truckers' presence, with some welcoming the new business, while others worry about the added risk of exposure to the coronavirus disease.
