By Abdi Hussein
The polarity of Kenyan-Tanzania border in Namanga town, Kajiado County is a
major drawback in the enforcement of protocols to curb cross border Covid-19
infections.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with security officer have intensified
surveillance at Namanga One Stop Border point but clandestine routes used by
locals seem to water down the efforts.
All visitors entering Kenyan territory must have Valid Covid-19 test
certificate and their body temperature is also taken before entering customs
precincts.
The Namanga Covid-19 testing mobile laboratory is up and running targeting
hundreds of truck drivers.
The laboratory has a capacity
to handle between 500-600 samples daily giving results within five hours, thus minimising
earlier reported delays.
Covid-19 protocols are observed on the Kenyan side of the borders as opposed to
the Tanzania side despite deaths blamed on the pandemic being reported from the
country.
Business people from both sides of the border mingle freely with very few wear
face masks.
There are no Covid 19 testing facilities within the vicinity of the border on Tanzania site prompting Tanzania truck drivers to rely on Kenyan mobile laboratory for testing.
There is seamless movement of goods
at the border point as the Namanga town slowly comes back to life.
“This is a killer virus sweeping villages back at home where most deaths
have gone unreported. I contracted the virus six months ago but I’m lucky to
have survived,” said a Tanzania truck driver waiting to be cleared.
Kajiado Oloililai Deputy Commissioner Mr Justin Maina said the porous
Kenya-Tanzania borderline has been the biggest challenge to curb the cross
border Covid-19 spread despite stringent measures.
Mr Maina said they are currently using intelligence to block the clandestine
routes being used to enter or leave the country.
“No one is allowed to cross the border without a valid Covid-19 test
certificate, which must be verified by the Ministry of Health officers,” said
Maina.
Another big challenge is that Maasai community families living along the border
are spread across the two countries complicating control of movement.
Kajiado county Health County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Esther Somoire
said much more is needed to contain cross border infections especially now the
country is experiencing the third wave.
Somoire said the county remains the virus hotspot owing to the border entries that
are overstretching the health department.