•The need for testing had created a huge traffic snarl up at the border, stretching more than 15km
•Last week, five Kenyan drivers tested positive in Uganda.
Image: MERCY MUMO
All Kenyan truck drivers will undergo mandatory coronavirus testing at their point of origin in a new strategy to fight the virus.
The Ministry of Health said it would also commence mass testing in Nairobi’s Kawangware estate on Friday after it emerged that the area was leading in the number of positive cases in the county.
The estate had recorded more than 10 cases by Thursday.
East African Community member states have agreed on a protocol to ease clearance at the borders that requires truck drivers to be tested at their departure points.
“As members of the East African Community, we believe that these discussions and arrangements we have within the EAC will facilitate the testing of drivers in an efficient way while at the same time not impeding the flow of trucks and cargo across the borders,” Health CAS Rashid Aman said on Thursday.
Last week, five Kenyan drivers tested positive in Uganda. Three had entered the country through Malaba and two through the Busia border point.
Uganda announced trucks coming into the country would stop at the border and be driven by Ugandan drivers to their destination or the next border point.
It is estimated that there are 350 outbound trucks and another 350 inbound.
Testing had created a huge traffic snarl-up at the border, stretching more than 15km.
Uganda being a landlocked country receives most of its supplies through the port of Mombasa.
Earlier, Health director general Patrick Amoth had said the ministry was planning to test truck drivers in Mombasa before they commenced their journeys.
“We are even thinking of having an express lane in Busia and in Malaba in which case your test results will be received before your arrival, then your passing through the border is fast tracked,” Amoth said.
The number of cases in the country stood at 396 on Thursday after 12 more cases were confirmed by the ministry.
Two deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 17.
On a positive note, 15 people were discharged from hospital after success treatment. The number of people who have recovered from the virus was 144 on Thursday.
“The month of April has been one of the most painful months in our history. It is the month in which our resilience as a people has been tested to its limit,” the CAS said.
“With a strong resolve we have fought against mass spread of this virus and we have registered significant gains. As we cross into the new month, let us strengthen our resolve against the virus.”
The 12 positive cases were found from 777 samples tested in 24 hours. Out of the 12, seven cases were from Mombasa, three from Nairobi while Wajir and Kitui recorded one case each.
The cases in Nairobi were in Eastleigh, Fedha and Kileleshwa estates. Seven of the 12 cases had been picked by surveillance teams while five came from quarantine facilities.
The cases were between one-and-half years old to 75 years.
Edited by Henry Makori