This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On April 21, 2020, the Kenyan government revealed plans to start mass testing of long-distance truck drivers, a high-risk group for COVID-19, to combat the spread of the virus in border counties.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman made the announcement during a meeting with National and County government officials at Malaba One-Stop-Border-Post (OSBP).
Aman emphasized the importance of mass testing in combating the spread of COVID-19, citing Uganda's efforts to test truck drivers as a model for Kenya to follow.
"Uganda is already undertaking mass testing of truck drivers, which is appropriate. There is need for Kenya to also expand its testing to include truck drivers and other high-risk groups like frontline workers and all health workers," Aman said.
As part of the plan, KEMRI Alupe, KEMRI Kisumu, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital will be designated as testing centers in the region to increase testing capacity.
Additionally, the government will negotiate with Uganda to allow Kenya to take samples of truck drivers up to 30 kilometers inside Uganda, with Uganda doing the same inside Kenya, to make the tests readily available before they cross.
Chief Administrative Secretary Hussein Dhado urged Kenyans to observe the measures put in place to stem the spread of the Coronavirus, stating that the measures are not meant to punish anyone but rather to protect all of us against contracting the virus.
