Thursday, October 16, 2025
FREIGHT LOGISTICS MAGAZINE
Nairobi Gate Industrial Park
  • Home
  • News
  • Trade Updates
  • Regional Updates
  • Intergration
  • Industry Updates
  • Publications
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Trade Updates
  • Regional Updates
  • Intergration
  • Industry Updates
  • Publications
No Result
View All Result
FEAFFA
No Result
View All Result
Home Industry Updates

Low truck drivers Covid-19 testing hurting cross border cargo movement

The delay caused by the Covid 19 protocols adopted by various countries in the region seen the cost of transport in the region almost double.

July 2, 2020
in Industry Updates, News
0
Industry players push for faster evacuation of cargo at Malaba border post PHOTO COURTESY
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Lack of enough capacity to test truck drivers before they load out transit cargo from Mombasa port has significantly affected flow of cargo to Kenya’s landlocked neighbours.

Miritini testing station in Mombasa manages to carry out only 100 tests in a day, with Nairobi managing a similar number. Mercy Ireri, Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) chief operations officer, said that the transit trucks demand is about 400 trucks daily.

“If the we can be able to enhance testing capacity, we will be able to decongest border crossing points,” Ireri said.

This capacity can be enhanced by working for extra hours in Nairobi South B station, which until today, did not have a permanently domiciled doctor. The extension of the working hours can be done from 8-5 pm and run from 8am- 8pm by having two doctors working in shifts, KTA suggests.

Gilbert Langat, Shippers Council of East Africa Chief Executive Officer recently said that the test results take long to get and with the expiry of only 14 days and delays along the Northern Corridor, by the time the drivers reach borders, the certificates are no longer valid.

The delay caused by the Covid 19 protocols adopted by various countries in the region seen the cost of transport in the region almost double.

“We also ask the government to increase tests in other stations along the corridor such as Eldoret and Mai Mahiu. If we can have about 100 tests done daily on these stations, we will progressively ease border delays,” Ireri added.

The government requires the drivers to be tested 48 hours before loading cargo from various points. Covid-19 driver testing is ongoing at both the Kenya and Uganda sides of the border.

Recently, the East African Community announced plans to adopt Digital Covid-19 Surveillance tracker for drivers. East Africa Community secretariat said it had adopted the EAC Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System that will be hosted at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Logistics stakeholders have also developed the Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System (RECDTS) with the support of Trademark East Africa (TMEA). This initiative is led by the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Association (FEAFFA) and the National Logistics Platform (NLP) in what they dub as a Journey Management System (JMS).

JMS will enhance the safety of drivers along the way and also harmonize activities and promote mutual recognition of COVID-19 tests among EAC partner states.

Trucking companies will be required to get accredited on the system by registering a maximum of a crew of three persons per truck. Drivers will be required to have smart phones with reliable internet connection.

They will also be required to have their phones on throughout the journey, keeping in place designated routes and comply when needed to stop at designated stop points. The system has programmed these points.

The Ministry of Health has an account for relaying test results and another for validating COVID-19 free certificates before allowing the drivers to proceed.

Once the testing has been done, electronic certificates will be issued in form of a QR code for future scanning and validation by the health officials. No certificates will be issued for positive results and in the event of such cases, country health protocols will apply.

By clicking to start the journey, the truck driver’s mobile phone will become a tracking gadget and will be visible to command centers till the end of the journey. The command centers will share information in real time. Alignment of the consignment to the truck will be done by East African Revenue Authorities (EARAs).

Drivers found to flout the guidelines will be flagged out by the rapid response team deployed along the corridors to justify their actions. Health officials in designated points will test, validate certificates and update the information on the system.

At border points, which have experienced major gridlocks in the recent past, it will be a matter of confirmation by authorities before allowing entry or exit. These certificates will be valid among EAC partner states and Democratic Republic of Congo.

For any feedback, contacts us via editorial@feaffa.com / freightlogistics@feaffa.com /info@feaffa.com; Mobile: +254703971679 / +254733780240
Previous Post

Covid-19 pushes pre-arrival cargo clearance up

Next Post

FEAFFA spells out Standard Operating Procedures for logisticians as region mulls re-opening

Next Post
Fred-Seka,-FEAFFA-President_

FEAFFA spells out Standard Operating Procedures for logisticians as region mulls re-opening

Freight Logistics Magazine Edition 19 Advert

Recent Posts

  • Tanzania’s Urio Joins FIATA’s New Global Leadership Team
  • Dar Port lures Uganda and DRC shippers with more Free Storage days
  • KEPHIS Pushes Ahead With Fees Despite Suspension Order
  • EABC to Host CEOs-EAC Secretary General Forum in Dar es Salaam
  • KPA Prioritizes Digital Transformation with New Terminal Operating System.

Videos

Advertise With Us

Contact editorial@feaffa.com/ info@feaffa.com or Simply Call 0703 971 679

Freight Logistics Magazine is FEAFFA's quarterly publication that provides readers with information on the key industry trends and issues in East Africa.
All images and videos displayed on this website are subject to the owner's copyright and subject to the applicable laws in countries within EAC. The articles do not necessarily reflect the position of FEAFFA on various topics covered.

Tanzania’s Urio Joins FIATA’s New Global Leadership Team

Dar Port lures Uganda and DRC shippers with more Free Storage days

KEPHIS Pushes Ahead With Fees Despite Suspension Order

  • Home
  • Logistics Service Providers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact us

Contact Information

info@feaffa.com
+254 (0)738 150 673
+254 (0)738 165 318
HillCrest Court, Waiyaki Way, Slip Road, Westlands

  • Home
  • Logistics Service Providers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact us

© 2024 FREIGHT LOGISTICS. All rights reserved by FEAFFA.

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Business Directory
  • Contact us
  • Logistics Service Providers
    • Banks
    • Certified Practitioners
    • Insurance Companies
    • Licensed Agents
  • Magazine
  • Magazine
  • MORE

© 2024 FREIGHT LOGISTICS. All rights reserved by FEAFFA.