This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, Migori County was in the spotlight as local leaders demanded the closure of the Kenya-Tanzania border at Isebania due to concerns over lax Covid-19 surveillance.
According to reports, six Covid-19 suspects had escaped from a quarantine centre in Migori, leaving local leaders worried about the spread of the virus.
MPs Tom Odege (Nayatike), Kitayama Maisori (Kuria East), Peter Masara (Suna West), and Dennitah Ghati (nominated) expressed their concerns, stating that the county needed special attention after reporting 10 Covid-19 cases in the past week.
Five of the 10 cases had originated from Tanzania, which the leaders cited as reason enough to shut the border.
They also blamed the police for laxity in closing all illegal border crossings used by those entering the country from Tanzania.
Ms. Ghati urged the Ministry of Health to conduct mass testing to ascertain the exact number of those infected.
Suna West MP Masara emphasized the need for increased surveillance along the border, stating, 'The unrestricted movements across the border points have already exposed the county to vulnerability, and the continued reluctance may worsen the situation.'
