President William Ruto has for the first time opened up about the proposed Ebola quarantine center in Laikipia saying he gave the green flag for establishment of the facility.
Speaking during a media roundtable in Wajir; President Ruto has said the deal to host the facility at the Laikipia Airbase is part of a partnership with the USA government that will enhance Kenya’s preparedness for the Ebola virus.
“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a center at Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30 or 40 years. The American government has supported us,” President Ruto said.
While justifying the decision President Ruto has said the US Government is an important ally having given support to combat other disease outbreaks over the years.
“They worked with us on Covid. In fact, KEMRI was one of the institutions that worked on research on the vaccines for COVID because we have a solid partnership with America and other partners.” The President has said.
The head of state has confirmed that Kenya has activated emergency response mechanisms that include screening of visitors from country’s that are recording ebola cases or at susceptible to having ebola cases.
“Fortunately for our country, not a single person tested has tested positive for Ebola,” he said.
Africa has listed the 10 countries in its high alert list including Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
