Church leaders have urged the government to abandon plans to
establish an Ebola quarantine facility in the country, arguing that the move poses
a serious public health risk to Kenyans.
In a statement to newsrooms, the clergy said Ebola is a deadly disease with serious health risks to millions of Kenyans
and that such decisions must not be rushed.
Under the umbrella of the Church and Clergy Association of
Kenya (CCAK), the leaders welcomed last week’s court ruling that
temporarily halted the project, describing it as a victory for Kenyans.
“The church is concerned
that the government was planning to open a quarantine facility in Kenya for
Ebola patients who are American citizens without the direct involvement and participation
of Kenyans,” the association said in a statement signed by its chairman Bishop Hudson Ndeda.
CCAK maintained that such a sensitive undertaking should
only proceed after comprehensive consultations with stakeholders and the
public.
“Ebola is a deadly disease that has the potential of harming
Kenyans hence such decisions must be arrived at transparently.”
“It is clear that Kenyans have rejected this idea hence the
government must ensure that this facility is not set up in our country regardless
of which country imposes on us.”
The development follows Kenya’s approval to
the US request of setting up a quarantine facility for Americans
exposed to Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo.
The US government has given Kenya $13.5m
(Sh1.7billion) for Ebola preparedness efforts.
The concerns also come at a time MPs have summoned Health
Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to apprise them on the decision.
In a letter addressed to the CS, National
Assembly’s Health Committee has directed Duale to appear before its members on Tuesday.
The committee chaired
by Seme MP James Nyikal wants Duale to apprise lawmakers on the move and also
explain what measures the ministry has put in place to manage the virus.
Duale is also expected to brief the committee
on the deal between the two countries and offer any other relevant
information regarding the outbreak.
“The purpose of this letter is to invite you
to a meeting with the committee to provide a comprehensive briefing on Kenya’s
preparedness to manage the virus, details regarding the aforementioned
agreement, if any, with the United States government,” the letter reads.
“The committee considers the matter as
urgent given its potential implications on the lives of the citizens.”
The clergy also criticised last week’s National
Prayer Breakfast, accusing political leaders of dominating a platform that
should primarily be led by religious leaders.
They questioned why politicians took centre stage during the
event while members of the clergy played only a limited role.
According to the church leaders, prayer gatherings should
remain sacred spaces for spiritual guidance rather than political messaging.
They argued that the increasing prominence of politicians
during such events risks blurring the line between faith and politics.
“A national prayer day was done on May 28 at Safari Park Hotel and it was clearly not led by the clergy in this
country,” Ndeda said.
“We wish to remind the President and the parliamentarians
that a national prayer day has to be inclusive. Politicians cannot take upon
themselves the role of the clergy especially at this time when the
country is at crossroads.”
Ndeda called for future prayer breakfasts to be organised in
a manner that gives religious leaders a more central role in leading national
prayers.
“We urge politicians to respect the role of the church and
the priesthood and in future include all churches in order to achieve the fruits
of our prayer.”
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Church and Clergy Association of Kenya wants the government to
involve all stakeholders before approving the proposal to have Ebola facility
in the country. The Clergy also wants involvement in the National Prayer Day.
