This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
Kenya has taken a significant step to curb the spread of COVID-19 by deciding to transport transit cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) starting June 1.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the decision was made during a meeting with his counterparts from the three countries to reduce cross-border transmissions of the virus.
Under the new arrangement, all transit cargo/containers transported on SGR will be cleared only at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Naivasha, where they will be tracked through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System.
From Naivasha, the cargo will be collected by trucks and transported to the partner states via Busia or Malaba.
However, fuel products will be transported by pipeline to Kisumu and then through Lake Victoria to Port Bell or Jinja in Uganda.
The move comes as Kenya has banned truck drivers who test positive for COVID-19 from crossing into the country, following a surge in cases among truck drivers transporting cargo across East African member states.
Kenya has also closed its borders with Somalia and Tanzania, with Tanzania adopting a similar approach recently.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe explained that the mandatory screening of truck drivers at border posts was ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta to prevent the spread of the virus.
Kenya's decision has sparked protests from Tanzanian government officials, who accuse Kenya of discriminating against their truck drivers.
However, President John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania has announced that the two countries will work together to resolve the issue, citing the importance of their economic ties.
