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Kenya: COVID-19 – Aerial Surveillance on Somalia-Ethiopia Border Starts

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6 years ago

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The government has enhanced aerial surveillance along the border with Somalia and Ethiopia in an effort to prevent illegal entry of vehicles and people.

The new measure is aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic into the country.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Wajir County Commissioner Jacob Narengo said that the county shares a porous border with the two countries, which makes it difficult for security agencies to man all the entry points into the county, making it a high risk area.

BOOST SECURITY

Mr Narengo said that the move will also boost security along the border even as the country intensifies the war on Al-Shabaab militants who have continued to stage attacks in the northern region.

The Ministry of Health recently listed Wajir among 14 counties facing a high risk of Covid-19 outbreak.

Both Ethiopia and Somalia have already reported confirmed cases of the coronavirus and now Mr Narengo says they will leave nothing to chance.

Ethiopia has already confirmed five cases of coronavirus, Somalia one while Kenya has seven confirmed cases since the outbreak of the virus which was first reported in Wuhan city in China.

SMUGGLED GOODS

Mr Narengo warned that the government is aware of illegal smuggling of people and goods through the border, adding that security personnel will be on the lookout for any vehicles crossing from the neighbouring countries.