Duale says gov't will obey court order halting Laikipia Ebola facility

Duale has, however, warned that he will not hesitate to invoke sections of the Public Health Act granting him powers to enforce stricter measures to prevent the spread of the highly communicable epidemic should a positive case be confirmed within Kenya’s territories.

The caseload in the DRC has spiked to 676, with 136 deaths reported in an outbreak that has also spread to neighbouring Uganda.

It was during a stakeholders’ forum on Ebola preparedness and response held in Nairobi that Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addressed what he described as misinformation surrounding the 50-bed capacity US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.

“Let me be clear, preparedness facilities are not evidence of an outbreak. They are just a precautionary measure to ensure that should there be a confirmed case, our health systems can respond effectively while protecting the population,” said Aden Duale, Health Cabinet Secretary.

CS Duale maintained that while the government will comply with a court order temporarily stopping the establishment of the facility pending the determination of a petition challenging it, urgent measures will be taken to protect lives should a positive case be confirmed.

“The Laikipia facility is part of the 23 facilities and we are a government that respects the rule of law, so we abide by the court decision. But in the event we need to invoke the Public Health Act, Sections 35 and 36, we will invoke the Public Health Act. An epidemic of this manner should not wait for more consultation. We have to save lives. We have to prepare the country,” stated Duale.

His remarks come hours after the High Court certified as urgent contempt proceedings seeking to have the Health CS and the Attorney General cited for allegedly disobeying court orders issued in a case concerning the implementation of health sector directives on the Ebola quarantine facility.

By Thursday this week, the caseload in the DRC had risen to 676, with 136 deaths, as the outbreak continued spreading in neighbouring Uganda.

Kenya has not confirmed any Ebola case so far, but the Ministry of Health says it has escalated surveillance and preparedness measures across the country.

“While our brothers and sisters in the DRC and Uganda fight the virus, Kenya is standing strong and remaining highly vigilant. Across the country, our disease surveillance systems are active and rigorous screening is happening at every border and airport,” said Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.

“It is important again for communities to know that if you need to travel to the DRC or Uganda, unless it is extremely necessary, for now we would urge you not to travel at this particular moment,” stated Acting Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth.

The forum also provided a platform to advocate for increased public awareness and community sensitisation to help prevent the spread of the virus.