AfriPulse
President William Ruto revealed why he supported the United States in establishing an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Ruto said U.S. President Donald Trump asked Kenya to help fight the deadly virus. He said he accepted the request immediately because he sees it as a matter of partnership with long-time allies.
“Our partnership with the American government is a mutual agreement. When President Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years,” he said.
Ruto added that the United States has already invested heavily in Kenya’s health response, including on HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and other diseases.
“The American government has deployed huge resources in Kenya on HIV/AIDS, on Ebola, and on other diseases.”
Facility Not Unique, Ruto Says
Ruto also said some people politicize the Laikipia facility. He noted that Kenya already operates 23 other emergency response facilities equipped to handle the outbreak response once officials detect Ebola.
He argued that the Laikipia quarantine setup does not differ from the rest of the system Kenya uses for disease screening, isolation, and treatment.
“The facility is not different from all the others we have across Kenya. We have 23 other facilities set up in Kenyatta Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the Kenyatta Hospital in Thika, Alupe Hospital in Busia, and many others,” Ruto added.
Screening, Isolation, and Treatment
Ruto said Kenya’s facilities aim to ensure proper screening and immediate isolation and care for anyone confirmed to have Ebola so the disease does not spread further.
“These facilities are meant to make sure that there is proper screening and if there is any positive identification of people who have Ebola, they are immediately isolated and treated so that there is no spread of the disease.”
President Ruto said Kenya cannot ignore the risk of Ebola spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where authorities have detected cases. He added that the country must stay ready.
“Those questioning our preparedness, are they telling us that we should not be ready? The fact that we could end up with a case is not far-fetched. We have many Kenyans in DRC and if they were to become victims of Ebola we would have a responsibility to take care of them,” he said.
“We are a responsible government. Politicians should avoid reckless talk. I am confident about what we are doing as a country.”
Protests Erupt in Nanyuki Over Planned Laikipia Facility
The remarks came after tension flared in Nanyuki on Monday. Hundreds of residents took to the streets to protest against the planned establishment of the Laikipia Ebola facility.
Security officers stopped demonstrators before they reached the military installation.
Hundreds of residents and youth groups voiced concerns about potential health risks from hosting the centre in their area. They demanded that officials relocate the facility to a different site.
Reports of Fatalities During Clashes
Reports indicate two people died in Nanyuki amid protests linked to U.S. plans to set up an Ebola isolation centre at a nearby military base, the BBC reported Tuesday.
One of the victims reportedly suffered a gunshot wound near the Laikipia Airbase during the demonstration. Friends brought him to the town’s hospital, where he later died.
The other victim reportedly had died before soldiers took him to the hospital.
Officials have not clarified the circumstances of the deaths, and they have not issued a formal response. A police spokesman told Reuters that he was not aware of any deaths.
Courts Order Full Disclosure on Secret Ebola Facility
Meanwhile, the High Court on Tuesday issued conservatory orders blocking the establishment or operation of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility in Kenya under any arrangement involving the United States or any other foreign entity.
The court granted the orders while it hears and determines a petition challenging the alleged plan. It restrained the government and its agencies from establishing, operationalizing, facilitating, approving, or permitting the creation of any such facility in Kenya.
In a further blow to the State, the court ordered the respondents to disclose and make public details relating to the proposed facility.
The government must share with the petitioner and the public the full terms of any agreement, memorandum, arrangement, or negotiations connected to the planned facility.
The court also required the disclosure of any public health, environmental, biosafety, or security assessments carried out for the project, as well as any approvals obtained from Parliament, relevant regulatory bodies, or county governments.
In addition, the respondents must provide details of the protocols intended to guide the admission, handling, isolation, and treatment of people exposed to Ebola.
The court said the orders will stay in effect until it holds and completes the inter partes hearing and determines the petition.
Source: NairobiWire.com | Read the Full Story…
