Since January 1, no truck has crossed into Uganda from Kenya at the Malaba crossing point. Inbound trucks from Uganda have, however, not been affected. Uganda introduced mandatory Covid-19 testing for truckers, whether or not they possess a valid Covid-19 certificate issued by the Kenyan government.
At that point, many drivers are aggrieved that when they cross into Uganda, the authorities claim their Covid-19 certificates are fake and demand fresh testing and a payment of $30 (Sh3,500). Once the payment is made, the drivers say, Ugandan officials simply stamp the ‘fake’ Kenyan Covid-19 certificate and allow them in. Once they cross, Ugandan police still demand a Covid-19 certificate.
Kennedy Osia, Chairman, Skyward Clearing and Forwarding Company: “The East African Community (EAC) member states agreed that drivers who have been tested for Covid-19 in any member state be given a certificate whose validity is 14 days, and that those with valid certificates are free to move within the EAC region.”
According to Osia, talks with Ugandan authorities have not borne fruit because immigration and health officials on the Uganda side insist the new government directive must be implemented.
Source: standardmedia.co.ke