Delegations transiting through the Malaba and Busia One-Stop Border Points for the World Under-20 Championships scheduled for Nairobi next month have been assured of seamless entry.
Busia and Malaba Border Management Committees (BMC) assured members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) that the athletes and officials from neighbouring countries traveling by road will be given priority during clearance.
BMC chairmen Jackson Wafula (Busia) and Kimani Kang’ethe said Immigrations, Kenya Revenue Authority, and Port Health will team up to ensure a smooth entry into the country. They asked the LOC to give them regular updates ahead of the event.
“It’s a national pride to host such an event. We shall ensure a seamless entry and departure of those who will use the border. However, they must meet all the entry requirements including yellow fever vaccination cards,” said Kang’ethe.
Wafula said: “Once we confirm the dates of their arrival, we shall ensure a coordinated and entry and movement.”
The security team from the region also assured the LOC members that they will accord those traveling by road with maximum security.
Athletes and officials from Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi are expected to travel by road for the championships to be held in Nairobi from August 17 to 22.
The LOC team was drawn from protocol, transport, medical, security, and accreditation committees. Johana Tanui led the LOC delegation which met the Western region police commander Peris Muthoni at her Kakamega office.
Other LOC committee members who were in the entourage were Joseph Chirchir (security and accreditation), Vincent Kaduki (Transport), and Maxwell Nyamu (Protocol).
They also held talks with deputy regional commissioner Edwin Juma. The two security officials said the delegations for the event will be given the necessary security arrangements.
The team also toured Bukhungu Stadium where they met the County Executive Committee member for Sports, Kassim Were, and Vihiga county’s Felisters Barasa.
Were said the stadium is available for any team wishing to make a stopover and train. “Our track is in good shape though it’s not tartan and if any team wishes to train here, we are ready to host them. In the future, Kakamega County is willing to partner with Athletics Kenya to develop talents” said Were.
Tanui told the Border Management Committees, security, and county officials that adequate plans have been put in place to receive athletes and officials from over 128 countries who have confirmed their participation in the event which is the first to be held in Africa.
He added that since the athletes will be in a bubble, they should not mix with other travelers and should be given priority at the border.
The LOC team concluded their tour at Eldoret International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Eldoret International Airport alongside Mombasa are the next available facilities in case flights are diverted from Nairobi.