This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, private fuel transporters in Kisumu were advocating for the use of the refurbished Kisumu port to alleviate the heavy truck traffic at the borders with Tanzania and Uganda.
Edward Ted Odero, director of Tricon International Limited, suggested that using the Kisumu Port could reduce the risk of Coronavirus transmission due to limited public contact.
"There will be limited contact and interaction between sailors and crew members operating the vessels as they will remain in the tanker and allow the Ugandan staff to drive locomotives and the products," said Mr. Odero, who owns fuel tankers.
Mr. Odero stated that the crew members would also be tested frequently for Covid-19 to ensure they were not spreading the virus.
Already, mass testing for truck drivers had started in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.
According to Mr. Odero, up to 20 trucks would be struck off the road, in addition to reduced road accidents, with the utilization of the port.
The first fully approved oil tankers were built and launched for operation in October 2003, at the Kisumu Marine Yard, a local manufacturer.
