President William Ruto has announced the formation of a National Response Committee to coordinate Kenya’s preparedness against the Ebola outbreak reported in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said the committee will be led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and will spearhead the country’s response in case of any Ebola-related emergency.
According to Ruto, the committee shall collaborate with the different government ministries and other partners in ensuring awareness and preparedness and the mobilization of technical and financial resources in the fight against the outbreak.
“Government will establish a National Response Committee led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,” he explained.
This move takes place amid heavy criticism on the part of the government with regard to its plan to develop an Ebola Quarantine and Treatment Facility in Laikipia Airbase, Nanyuki, courtesy of the United States.
The US government has pledged $13.4 million in support of the preparations for the virus following a conversation between Kenyan President William Ruto and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday.
However, the move to set up the facility has been criticized by different members of society and health professionals as there is no enough information about the plan.
Amongst the most vocal on this issue is the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union which gave a four-hour ultimatum.
At the same time, the Katiba Institute has filed a case in court in an attempt to block the project’s implementation.
The announcement of the response committee came after the head of state presided over a meeting at State House Nairobi that saw participation from ambassadors and other international players to gauge Kenya’s preparedness and regional containment measures regarding the disease.
In attendance during the meeting were representatives from various nations, which included USA, the UK, China, Japan, France, Germany, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Türkiye, and UAE among others, besides officials from UN organs.
Ruto stated that Kenya had intensified screening and surveillance activities at over 26 border crossing points across the country to mitigate any likely spread of the disease.
According to the president, over 58,000 travelers have been screened so far for Ebola infection, while all those who have been suspected in Kenya came out as negative.
Other actions taken by the government included the identification of 17 isolation facilities around the country as part of their efforts towards preparing for the emergency.
President Ruto also stated that Kenya has been partnering with international organizations such as WHO, Africa CDC, and UN to enhance surveillance and testing laboratories, cross-border coordination, and other activities related to emergencies.
The progress comes against a backdrop of rising worries in the region due to fresh cases of Ebola that have emerged in East and Central Africa.
