This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
Published on May 15, 2020, the Kenyan government has shifted its focus to the country's borders, which have become high-risk areas for coronavirus transmissions.
According to Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, truck drivers are now the weak link in the fight against COVID-19, with high recorded numbers of cases.
Dr. Mwangangi attributed this to human interactions on both sides of the country's border, particularly at porous borders.
"Due to the nature of human interactions, it was not possible to keep the virus from crossing the borders. Our porous borders are the ones that have become the latest high-risk areas with the transmission of the disease," Dr. Mwangangi said.
The government is taking necessary measures to tame cross-border infections, with a focus on truck drivers.
On Tuesday, a technical team was sent to the Namanga border on a fact-finding mission to assess the situation and recommend interventions.
On Wednesday, the ministry of health referred back 25 Tanzanians at the Namanga and Isebania borders after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
Dr. Mwangangi also intimated that her ministry continues to witness a trend of emerging and increasing positive cases from border counties.
"Yesterday, we recorded 47 new COVID-19 cases, out of which 25 were Tanzanian nationals. At the border point of Isebenia, Migori county, we continue to witness emerging positive cases. The government is closely monitoring these developments and putting in interventions," Dr. Mwangangi added.
She appealed to Kenyans living at border areas to actively exercise the Nyumba Kumi Initiative and report any suspicious individuals who may have used illegal routes to enter the country.
