This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, a high-powered delegation from the Kenyan government, led by Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) Hussein Dado, Dr. Rashid Amani, and Chris Obure, arrived in Taveta, Kenya, in a Kenya Police helicopter. Their mission was to assess the compliance with the border closure directive and measures put in place to protect the Kenya-Tanzania border from Covid-19.
The visit came as Tanzania reported a surge in Covid-19 cases, from 147 to 257 within three days, raising concerns that the border could become a flashpoint for inter-country transmission. The Kenyan government has taken drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus, including a 7pm-5am curfew, closure of schools, and mandatory face-mask wearing in public.
At the meeting with local officials, Mr. Dado emphasized the importance of cooperation between East African Community (EAC) member states in halting the spread of the virus. However, each country has adopted a different public-health protection regime, and Kenya's approach has been more stringent than some of its neighbors.
County Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha reported that Taita-Taveta County had no Covid-19 cases, but acknowledged that border porosity remained a challenge. To address this, the county had enhanced surveillance and patrols, and incorporated border communities into the Nyumba Kumi security network to monitor and report movements.
The Nyumba Kumi initiative has proven effective in thwarting illegal crossings and enforcing government directives. The network has also become instrumental in providing support to individuals in quarantine, including organizing food and other requirements.
Mr. Dado praised the strategy, saying that it was commendable to bring border communities on board to support surveillance. Dr. Amani, CAS for Health, emphasized the need for continued caution, citing the risk of cross-border transmission and the importance of testing for essential service providers like truck drivers.
Despite progress, challenges persist, including a shortage of personnel and lack of adequate resources. However, the community-driven approach to border security has shown promise in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
