Security officers in Homa Bay have arrested three Tanzanians and placed them under mandatory quarantine for illegally crossing the border into Kenyan markets for business.
Homa Bay County commissioner Yatich Kipkemei said the three were arrested at Nyandiwa trading centre in Suba South constituency on Thursday in efforts to curb spread od Covid-19.
Kipkemei said concerned residents alerted security officers about sighting strangers at the market before they were rounded up.
The suspects were quarantined at Homa Bay Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) where health officers took their samples for covid-19 testing.
“I appeal to residents to continue working closely with security officers and report people they suspect can spread the virus,” Kipkemei said.
He said a total of 35 individuals including the three individuals have so far been seized by Homa Bay surveillance and health officers in relations to crossing borders of Kenya and Tanzania.
Last Saturday, a 45 year old woman in Mikuyu village in Suba South tested positive after she traveled to Tanzania and back.
The woman stayed for two weeks in Tanzania after attending a burial of her relative.
The woman was taken to Malela Covid-19 isolation centre in Ndhiwa constituency.
“We’ll be quarantining Covid-19 suspects together with their entire families if they continue to cross border illegally,” Mr. Kipkemei warned.
He urged area residents to stop unnecessary travels to Tanzania to avoid possible spread of the virus.
The administrator who was briefing the press in his office onThursday told locals to avoid going to funerals which encourage overcrowding.
“We already know what is happening in Tanzania on matters related to Covid-19. Let’s be cautious,” he added.
The administrator said they have intensified surveillance at entry points to the county to curb the spread of covid-19.
He said they have increased roadblocks in Ndhiwa and Suba South constituencies which border Tanzania and screening of people are done at roadblocks
“Both health and security officers are conducting screening at the centres. Suspected Covid-19 positive people are promptly quarantined to avoid spreading the virus,” Kipkemei said.
By Davis Langat.
