This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya's porous borders with neighboring countries have become a major concern. Despite the government's efforts to combat the spread of the virus, many people continue to use illegal routes to cross the border, posing a significant risk of infections.
According to reports, the Kenya-Tanzania border in Kwale and Taita Taveta counties is particularly vulnerable, with thousands of people crossing daily. In fact, Lamu, which shares a boundary with Somalia, has recorded no positive cases, but Kwale has recorded three, including one that directly came from northern Tanzania.
County health officials in Migori have also reported a surge in cases, with seven positive cases recorded in the past week. The patients had all traveled from Tanzania, and the county has put 129 people in quarantine and prepared more isolation centers.
Busia County, which shares a border with Uganda, has also been affected, with Governor Sospeter Ojaamong lamenting the government's leniency towards Ugandan nationals entering the country to sell their merchandise.
Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna has acknowledged the challenge posed by human traffic to and from Tanzania, saying that closing the border is one of the options being reviewed by the government.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Kenya will address the porous borders and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
