Kenya Kwanza leaders accuse Gachagua of politicizing Ebola preparedness

Gachagua had claimed that the planned quarantine facility was targeting residents of the Mt. Kenya region, remarks that have sparked debate among political leaders.

Speaking during a fundraiser in support of several women's groups in Barwesa, Baringo North, the leaders, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, dismissed the claims and warned Gachagua against what they termed as playing politics with a public health matter. 

They said both the Kenyan and U.S. governments are only enhancing preparedness measures to tackle any potential Ebola outbreak.

Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei added Gachagua should abandon what he described as immature politics, arguing that it was wrong to politicize every issue, including disease outbreaks and pandemic preparedness efforts.

Gachagua, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, has alleged that the planned establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki is a scheme by President William Ruto to wipe out the Mt Kenya community. 

During a Consultative meeting with DCP Party aspirants from Meru County, Gachagua questioned why the President agreed with the American government to establish such a facility in the country. 

Meanwhile, Kenya's High Court has been frozen the move, directing the government to provide the full terms of any agreement, memorandum, arrangement, or negotiations concerning the proposed facility.

It also ordered the disclosure of any public health, environmental, biosafety, or security assessments undertaken in relation to the project, as well as any approvals obtained from Parliament, relevant regulatory agencies, or county governments.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that the government requires Ksh.2.6 billion to strengthen the country's readiness for the first 100 cases of the Ebola Virus should it emerge.  

Appearing before the National Assembly on Wednesday, June 3, the CS explained that the funds will support border screening and surveillance, laboratory services, risk communication and data management. 

Some of the funds will be set aside for surge staffing, emergency logistics, infection prevention and control, operational research and social protection for frontline workers. 

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has also clarified that the planned establishment of an will not expose nearby citizens to the virus has announced it will start demanding exit surveillance reports for all travellers coming into the country, certified by authorities from the origin country.

The outbreak of the virus was reported on May 15 in DRC and has claimed 48 lives so far out of 321 confirmed cases. 

The Ministry of Health in Uganda has also reported nineteen cases and two fatalities.