Worry as Kenyans Sneak into Tanzania to Drink, Party

Residents of the border town, Namanga are living in fear after learning that some Kenyans are sneaking into neighboring Tanzania to drink and party.

This comes after the Kenya government ordered the closure of all bars and entertainment joints as part of the measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Residents said a section of Kenyans were taking advantage of the porous border to cross into Tanzania to party and enjoy their drinks before coming back.

Unlike Kenya, Tanzania has not imposed stringent measures to avert the spread of the infection. Locals fear those sneaking in and out of the country without undergoing screening could get infected and spread the disease.

“I’m a resident of Namanga, the fear that we have is on the Tanzanian side. Kenyans are now going to Tanzania because we have closed our bars, they go drink there and meet many people,” a resident told a local daily.

“Tanzania has not emphasized the severity of the disease. Our president has put in measures in our country but on the other side, few measures have been enforced.”

Another resident claimed Kenyan pastors have been crossing over to Tanzania to preach and hold crusades. Churches and mosques in Kenya were also ordered to shut down to stem the transmission of the virus.

“Our fear is that there is a big problem in our Namanga boarder. The problem is that we come into constant contact with Tanzanians,” another resident noted.

He added: “Tanzania has treated the virus with seriousness and we see workers from Tanzania go to sleep in their country and come for work here. There are pastors who go to preach in Tanzania since they have not banned churches. They minister to congregations of about 100 people and they come back. We opposed that because our country has put in place good measures.”