Gov't plans Ksh.70B Ebola response fund with support from US, World Bank

Much of the funding is expected to come from international partners.

According to the National Treasury, the government has established a preliminary Ebola response mitigation fund of Ksh.2.6 billion to assist the Ministry of Health in preparing for and containing an Ebola outbreak in the country.

The Treasury is also expecting an additional Ksh.21 billion from the US government as part of the Department of State's direct assistance commitment to combat the outbreak.

The Ebola mitigation kitty is expected to be boosted by a further Ksh.51.8 billion in emergency financing from the World Bank after Kenya sought support through the lender's Rapid Response Option.

The additional financing would raise the total funds available for Ebola preparedness and response to more than Ksh.70 billion.

The funds are expected to enhance surveillance, strengthen early detection systems, train community health workers and procure essential drugs for patients.

At the centre of the funding is the Ksh.21 billion allocation for the US-funded bio-isolation facility in Laikipia.

The operationalisation of the US-funded facility at Laikipia Air Base remains shrouded in controversy, with the courts having suspended the establishment of the 50-bed isolation and Ebola quarantine facility following public concerns over the risk of cross-border infection.

Meanwhile, seven American disaster response workers who were reportedly admitted to the facility have since been discharged after completing a mandatory 21-day quarantine.