Security agencies in collaboration with health officials in Migori County have arrested 20 Tanzania nationals for being in the country illegally.
The aliens were arrested after docking at Mugabo beach in Nyatke constituency reportedly with intention of visiting a local prominent fish dealer.
The suspects who identified themselves as fishermen are believed to have been smuggled into the country to work for the said fish dealer as fish prospectors in his many boats in Lake Victoria.
County police commandant Nyaga Muchungu speaking at a local development meeting Thursday reported that the fish dealer only identified as Ochanda would be investigated and prosecuted if found to be employing aliens in his firm.
The arrests comes at a time the state has adopted stiffer penalties for crossing the common border with Tanzania, including forced quarantine within the country in efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
Tanzania has in the recent days registered many Covid-19 positive cases and it is important that Kenya controls free movement of people in and out the country to stop the spread of the virus within the local communities.
Yesterday, Nyanza regional commissioner James Kianda ordered for scaled up border surveillance to stop illegal cross-border movements with a view to curb further importation of the virus into the country.
Meanwhile, those who will be arrested for flouting curfew rules in the area will be taken into a separate quarantine centre from those suspected and traced for being into contact with covid-19 positive cases.
County executive committee member (CEC) Dr. Iscar Oluoch said that this will prevent such law violators from being infected within the established holding and treatment centres.
She said Uriri Secondary School has been prepared to admit those arrested by police for failing to wear masks or found outside past curfew hours.
By George Agimba
Kenya arrests Tanzanians in war against Covid-19
