Kakamega: The County Government of Kakamega and the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) have intensified Ebola preparedness measures, following the county’s classification as a high-risk area for Ebola Virus Disease. The County government and partners have consequently set two quarantine centers along major transit corridors frequented by long-distance truck drivers and are working closely with national authorities to strengthen preparedness mechanisms.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a joint media briefing at the Kakamega County Headquarters, county leaders and public health practitioners outlined a comprehensive preparedness framework into disease prevention efforts. This includes the deployment of additional public health officers, establishment of quarantine facilities, strengthening of border surveillance, and integration of environmental conservation initiatives. Kakamega County’s strategic location along regional transport corridors connecting Kenya to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola cases have been reported, necessitates these measures.
Deputy Governor, Ayub Savula, emphasized the need for collective support of government interventions aimed at preventing possible disease outbreaks. He cautioned against politicizing public health measures, reiterating efforts to operationalize two quarantine centers along major transit corridors and collaboration with national authorities to enhance preparedness mechanisms. The officials highlighted Kakamega’s position along the busy Busia-Bungoma highway and its proximity to international transit routes, as factors that expose the County to a higher risk of disease importation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Kenya among countries requiring heightened vigilance due to the continued movement of goods and people through regional trade corridors linked to affected countries. Savula stated that Kakamega requires additional support from the National government to establish a fully equipped quarantine facility capable of handling emergencies, due to its strategic position as a transportation hub serving western Kenya and neighboring countries.
Enhanced surveillance and rapid response systems are deemed critical in protecting residents should an outbreak occur, with mapping conducted in high-risk areas such as Kaburengu, Matungu, Khwisero, Chavakali, Chepsonoi area, and the whole stretch from River Nzioa up to Eldoret. The County Administration has also endorsed calls by public health practitioners for the immediate deployment of additional public health officers to high-risk areas.
According to the officials, public health personnel remain central to disease surveillance, community sensitization, screening, and enforcement of health protocols during emergencies. KEHPHPU National Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, Brown Ashira, emphasized the necessity of adequate staffing of public health officers to strengthen preparedness efforts in Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma counties, which have been identified as areas requiring enhanced monitoring.
Ashira stressed the need for strict adherence to screening procedures and International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 at all border entry points and transit routes. He mentioned that the government had assured health stakeholders about the supply of necessary protective equipment to healthcare workers stationed at border points and health facilities, supporting surveillance and response activities.
He further urged the Ministry of Health to expedite Permanent and Pensionable terms for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) officers currently serving on contract, arguing that a stable workforce is essential in effectively responding to public health emergencies. Union’s Western Region Branch Secretary, Anthony Ngaira, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that disease outbreaks are most effectively managed through prevention and early containment.
Health experts pointed out that quarantine facilities form part of internationally recognized public health practices used to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to infectious diseases during incubation periods. They noted that Ebola has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days, making observation facilities critical for early detection and intervention. The officials emphasized that quarantine centers are designed to protect communities and should not be viewed as discriminatory measures. They reiterated that preparedness remains the most effective defense against outbreaks and called upon residents to cooperate with health authorities in observing all preventive protocols.
