This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
On May 16th, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced measures to combat the spread of coronavirus by ordering the closure of Kenya's borders with Tanzania and Somalia to all passenger traffic.
The order, which will remain in force for 30 days, aims to prevent cross-border transmission of the disease. Border towns of Namanga and Mandera have recorded an increase in the number of positive cases in recent days.
According to President Kenyatta, only cargo vehicles will be allowed into the country through the borders, provided the drivers undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and test negative.
He noted that 43 cases reported in the last one week were imported through the Wajir, Namanga, Isebania, and Namanga borders. Wajir reported 14 cases, Isebania had 10 cases, Namanga reporting 16 cases, Lungalunga 2, and a single case in Loitoktok.
President Kenyatta emphasized that over 78 truck drivers have been denied entry into the country after testing positive for coronavirus. He warned that if no action is taken, all gains achieved in combating the pandemic will be lost.
