President William Ruto has directed the formation of a National Response Committee to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak affecting neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.In a statement issued on Thursday, May 28, the President said the committee will be chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and will coordinate a nationwide response to any possible Ebola-related emergencies.
The committee is expected to bring together different government agencies and stakeholders to improve coordination and ensure the country remains prepared.
Ruto said the committee will oversee public awareness campaigns, preparedness measures, emergency response coordination, and mobilisation of both technical and financial resources.
He noted that the government is taking a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to prevent the spread of the disease into Kenya.
“The Government will establish a National Response Committee under the leadership of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to coordinate a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” the President said.
The announcement comes at a time when there has been growing public discussion over the government’s approval of a United States-funded Ebola quarantine and treatment facility expected to be set up at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
The United States recently committed Ksh1.74 billion towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts after discussions between President Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Ruto announced the new committee after hosting a high-level meeting at State House attended by ambassadors, development partners, multilateral agencies, and international stakeholders.
According to the President, Kenya has already intensified surveillance measures at 26 entry points across the country.
More than 58,000 travellers have reportedly been screened as part of ongoing monitoring efforts.He also revealed that the country has identified 17 isolation centres to handle any suspected Ebola cases if needed.
Ruto assured the public that all suspected Ebola cases tested in Kenya so far had returned negative results.
The President added that Kenya is working closely with the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, and the United Nations to strengthen surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and emergency response measures as the region continues to monitor the outbreak.
