Kakamega to Establish Two Ebola Quarantine Centres as Kenya Steps Up Preparedness

The county government of Kakamega has announced plans to set up two Ebola quarantine centres as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness against the deadly virus.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula announced that the county government will establish quarantine facilities following consultations with the Ministry of Health.

Savula, on Friday, June 5, said the decision was ratified during a recent county cabinet meeting amid growing concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa.

“We have already had a session and discussed how we are prepared to tackle the Ebola disease that is threatening the East African region. We have agreed in our meeting that we must be prepared and send public officers to curb the disease in Kenya and the East African region,” he said.

The Deputy Governor added that the county administration fully supports the Ministry of Health’s preparedness measures, including the establishment of isolation facilities to contain any potential outbreak.

“In Kakamega County, we are setting up two stations, and the cabinet has decided that we are going to have those centres where those who have the disease will be quarantined,” Savula stated.

According to him, Kakamega was selected due to its strategic location as a major transit corridor linking western Kenya to neighbouring countries and key towns within the country.

“We agreed to set up two Ebola quarantine centres in Kakamega County because it is a transit area along Busia, Bungoma and Eldoret,” he said.

The announcement comes just a fortnight after Kenya and the United States agreed to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine and bio-isolation facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.

However, the project has since been thrown into uncertainty after the High Court temporarily suspended its implementation pending the hearing and determination of a legal challenge filed against the facility.

The U.S.-backed centre was designed to provide emergency triage, testing and isolation services for American citizens, contractors and peacekeepers who are exposed to Ebola.

Despite public outrage and the ongoing court case, President William Ruto has defended the establishment of the Laikipia facility, insisting that it forms part of Kenya’s broader disease preparedness strategy.