At least 10 Kenyan nationals who were arrested and quarantined by the Ugandan government after crossing the border have been released.
Speaking to KNA during an interview in his office on Wednesday, April 22, Busia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said that the Kenyan nationals who were arrested in Samia, Marachi and Amikwi areas were released on Tuesday evening.
“We have talked to them and they have said that apart from the change in environment, they were well taken care of by the Ugandan authorities,” he said, adding that they tested negative for coronavirus.
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The administrator urged local residents to welcome them without stigmatization, adding that residents should engage in farming activities instead of insisting on cross-border business.
“In our engagements with our Ugandan counterparts, we were told that there are no reaming Kenyans,” he said urging families with missing relatives to report to his office, nearby police stations and to chiefs for follow up.
Kanyiri, however, disclosed that two of the returnees complained that their boats and engines were confiscated by Ugandan officers and are being kept at Majanji area.
“We are following up to have these fishing gears returned in good shape so that the owners can continue with their normal business,” he said.
He stated that his administration will handle the issues through diplomatic channels, adding that the coronavirus should not create bad blood between the two countries.
The administrator urged the fishermen to respect the boundaries to avoid more disputes through illegal border crossing.
“Let us preserve our waters because if we continue to pollute the resource, fish will cross over to the freshwater in the Ugandan side,” he advised.
Kanyiri urged the local residents to stop using abusive remarks while expressing their dissatisfaction with the Ugandan authorities.
He at the same time reminded the locals to adhere to the Ministry of Health directives warning that they risked being exposed to Covid-19.
The county boss warned that those found flouting the directives will be arrested and placed under forced quarantine for 14 days at their own cost.
“We have used all ways to convey the government directives and I believe that every resident of this County has been reached,” he said, adding those taken into quarantine will serve as an example to some to the still defiant residents.
