Uganda returns eleven positive truck drivers to Kenya

Ugandan authorities have returned 11 truck drivers who tested positive for coronavirus back to Kenya.

The drivers were taken to the Alupe Isolation Centre, where 11 other drivers are undergoing treatment.

The Deputy Governor, Moses Mulomi, while giving a Covid-19 update in the county at a news conference yesterday, noted that medics at the Kenya Medical Research Institute located in Alupe conducted confirmatory tests and results will be relayed to the Ministry of Health.

Mr Mulomi warned that drivers who will leave their point of loading towards Busia and Malaba borders without a certificate confirming they were free from the virus will be put under mandatory quarantine.

“It was agreed that all truck drivers must be tested 48 hours before they start their journey. Those without a Covid-19 free certificate will be put in forced quarantine,” said Mulomi.

County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri confirmed that traffic in Malaba had been eased following a meeting between officials from Kenya and Uganda held in Malaba border on Tuesday.

Mr Kanyiri, who is also the chairman of the County Security Committee, further confirmed the arrest of 10 truck drivers who had blocked the busy Malaba-Bungoma road to protest alleged harassment by Uganda officials.