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{
    "id": 1001136,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1001136/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Murang’a CWR, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Sabina Chege",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 884,
        "legal_name": "Sabina Wanjiru Chege",
        "slug": "sabina-wanjiru-chege"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The first question was on the measures the Government has put in place to seal all the loopholes that may trigger the spread of the virus in border counties such as Migori. The Ministry of Health and the county governments at the border regions have been working closely with each other to ensure that the virus does not spread, especially from neighbouring countries. For the last three months, there has been constant consultation among the East African Community partner states whose objective is to enhance common regional approach in implementation of COVID-19 response measures. All the partner states recognise that international movement of goods from the coast to inland destinations is a key essential service in the region. However, there is growing concern over truck drivers who form a very big proportion of confirmed asymptomatic cases of the disease and, therefore, pose a risk for further spread of the disease. It was, therefore, agreed that cross-border surveillance should be strengthened and harmonised common protocols, particularly for cars and testing of truck drivers be applied across the entire region. There is an attachment which I will table on the East Africa COVID-19 Testing Protocol. The Sixth Presidential Address of 16th May 2020 directed that there should be no movement at the borders apart from cargo vehicles. This was echoed by neighbouring countries except Tanzania in which movement is still allowed. Other measures to contain COVID-19 in the border countries include new measures of handling truckers at the border points. Movement of cargo has remained open. This means that the movement of truckers from country to country may pose a risk of transmission. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has developed a protocol where drivers should have a COVID-19 negative certificate prior to boarding their trucks. The Kenya Ports Authority is not supposed to release any cargo to anyone without it. The abuse of this protocol is resulting in a pile up of travellers, but the testing has to be done at the border points. Below there is a table which outlines the number of truck drivers who have been tested so far at the border points. The East African Community (EAC) developed protocols that govern the inter-country movement of cargo. Kenya, being a signatory, follows the agreed protocols. Neighbouring countries have been sensitised as per the East African Protocol to facilitate their truck drivers to test prior to travel which will ensure that there is no waiting for results at the borders. This could cause congestion and unnecessary interaction. We have seen this happening. Therefore, this poses a risk of COVID-19 infection. The draft testing protocols are currently being finalised by the East African Secretariat in consultation with technical experts from the respective East African member states. There is also an attachment of East Africa COVID-19 Testing Protocol and Attestation Certificate. They are also utilising the Nyumba Kumi Initiative through which the border population has been sensitised to identify foreigners whose origin is unknown and report to the authorities for appropriate action. There are also quarantine and isolation centres. All the border counties have been instructed to identify quarantine and isolation centres for any cases that may have been exposed and suspect or confirmed cases. The second question was on what measures the Government is putting in place to control movement of people across the common porous border between Kenya and Tanzania. Regional The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}