Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has called for the establishment of Ebola screening facilities at key weighbridges along the Northern Corridor, saying the move would strengthen Kenya’s early warning and response systems against the spread of the disease through regional transport routes.
Senator Faki said Kenya should place greater emphasis on surveillance along major highways used by long-distance truck drivers who regularly travel between East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where recent Ebola outbreaks have been reported.
He warned that the high volume of cross-border movement increases the country’s vulnerability if preventive systems are not reinforced.
He observed that although the government has invested in isolation and treatment centres, equal priority must be given to prevention through early detection mechanisms at strategic points of entry and transit.
“As a country, we must remain alert along the Northern Corridor. Every month, thousands of truck drivers move between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We cannot afford to wait for suspected cases to reach our communities before we respond,” he said.
He further urged authorities to deploy Ebola screening services at all major weighbridges and transit checkpoints, arguing that such facilities would allow health officials to identify potential cases before travellers proceed deeper into the country.
“The government should put up screening centres at major weighbridges and other transit points. Prevention and early detection are just as crucial as having isolation facilities in place,” he added.
Faki noted that weighbridges are particularly suitable for such interventions because they function as compulsory stopping points for freight transport, making them effective locations for routine health checks without significantly disrupting trade flows.
“Instead of concentrating only on isolation facilities, we should also invest in screening infrastructure where truck drivers and other travellers can be assessed before continuing their journeys. This will significantly improve our preparedness and help safeguard public health,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when the country has stepped up surveillance measures at border points and transport corridors following renewed Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring parts of the region, including the DRC and Uganda. The Ministry of Health has already heightened screening and preparedness efforts as part of ongoing containment strategies.
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