This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
On May 20, 2020, a massive Covid-19 screening exercise was conducted in Turkana County, Kenya, where over 300,000 people were tested for the virus. Among those screened were 6,000 nomadic pastoralists from neighboring Uganda who had crossed into the county in search of water and pasture for their cattle.
According to Philip Aemun, the newly appointed County Executive Committee member for Agriculture, Pastoral economy and Fisheries, the ministry responded swiftly to the situation by deploying animal disease surveillance teams to prevent cross-infection of animal diseases and involving health officers to screen for Covid-19.
David Mburukwa, the Turkana central sub-county police commander, announced that his officers would intensify enforcement of face mask requirements, as residents had begun to relax precautionary measures.
The county committee also resolved to require all truck drivers to have a valid Covid-19 test certificate before entering the county through Kainuk. Chief Officer for Health Dr. Roberts Abok stated that the department had received the applicable protocol for control of Covid-19 at ground crossing and along transport corridors from the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Michael Eregae, representing the trade subcommittee, reported that prices of essential household goods were stabilizing, but the fish market trade was still experiencing reduced figures and downward trends.
The meeting was informed that surgical face masks, handwashing equipment, and IEC materials had been received for distribution at the sub-county level, donated by various partners.
By Peter Gitonga
