This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
As the country continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has taken measures to enhance the Nyumba Kumi Initiative in all border counties. According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, the initiative will now be fully activated in these areas to help combat the rapid transmission of the disease.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Kagwe noted that the disease is being imported into the country due to the porosity of the borders. He cited several examples, including Wajir, which has 14 cases, with 12 of those cases coming from neighbouring Somalia. Isebania has 10 cases, and Namanga and Lungalunga have also reported infections.
Mr Kagwe urged the public to report any suspicious individuals who are new to their areas to the relevant authorities, as this is the only way to help flatten the curve. He also announced that the government has increased Nyumba Kumi activities in the bordering counties, as many people can enter the country without using the border points.
One of the cases that passed away at Kenyatta National Hospital actually crossed through one of these porous borders and eventually arrived in Nairobi, Mr Kagwe explained. To address this issue, the government has deployed mobile laboratories to fast track testing at the borders.
At the Kenya-Tanzania border, out of the 214 positive cases detected, 182 were foreigners who would have entered the country had they not been tested. At the Isebania border, 10 Covid-19 cases have been reported, while four foreigners were referred back to their countries after testing positive. At the Lungalunga border, 24 truck drivers from Tanzania were turned back, and at Namanga, 126 truck drivers have so far been referred back to their countries after being found with coronavirus.
