Tension is rising at the Taveta-Holili border after Tanzania blocked Kenyan drivers from crossing into the neighboring country amid Covid-19 measures row.
A Report by Citizen TV in Kenya on Sunday morning, showed that Tanzania blocked entry of Kenyan Cargo trucks at Taveta – Holili border causing heavy traffic as truck drivers remained stranded without a formal explanation of why they have been denied entry into Tanzania.
The Taveta/Holili border crossing point between Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania, is located about 264 km South-East of Mombasa and 110 km West of Arusha.
Taveta is one of the key border crossing points between the two countries due to the border’s proximity to major cities.
Tanzania president, John Pombe Magufuli snubbed a virtual meeting of East African heads of state which was held last week to chat way forward on movement of cargo trucks which have proved to be a major factor in the spread of coronavirus in the region.
The meeting among other measures agreed to have drivers tested at points of origin before they embark on journeys across the region.
However, the new development comes a day after Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta announced that cargo vehicles using both the Kenya-Tanzania, and the Kenya-Somalia national borders will not be allowed into the country.
Uhuru also directed that all truck drivers entering Kenya will be subjected to mandatory testing for coronavirus starting on 16th May, as one of the latest measures to stop the spread of the virus.
By press time, authorities on either side had not issued a formal statement over the matter.
_Sabasaba_