Manage Ebola issue effectively and keep Kenya safe

Kenya does not seem to be scared about the possibility of contracting Ebola, one of the deadliest diseases currently ravaging parts of West Africa. The government and Kenya Airways have ruled out banning flights to and from the current Ebola affected nations of West Africa.

Whereas several arguments have been fronted for taking this risky decision, we can only hope that those in charge are actually well appraised of the dangers they are exposing us to.

However, judging from the way our leaders have handled some of the “simpler” matters, such as the drought and hunger affecting parts of Kenya, and the insecurity situation in Lamu that has left many dead and several displaced, there is reason to be jittery. Ebola is no ordinary disease.

It is reported to claim the lives of up to 90 per cent of its victims. Combined with the fact that it is easily transmissible, it is no wonder that many nations have already taken drastic measures and strict precautions to protect their citizens from a possible outbreak.

According to experts, what makes the current outbreak tricky is that it has hit the urban centres, as compared to previous ones that have been confined to rural areas.

The urban centres being so cosmopolitan, with so much inter-city and international travels, pose a greater risk of quick transfer of the virus to other towns and countries. Furthermore, it is reported that the current strain appears to be the deadliest since 1976. It is perhaps for these reasons that many nations are not leaving anything to chance.

Some airlines have also suspended their flights to and from the Ebola affected nations. In fact, as early as a week ago, Emirates had already suspended its flights to the West African nation of Guinea on concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus there. Emirates announced that the flights would remain grounded until further notice.

With up to 76 flights to and from affected West Africa nations, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has already placed Kenya as a high risk nation. This by itself is like yet another travel advisory placed on a nation that is already reeling from the stoppages resulting from insecurity.

It means that other visitors who would have been courageous enough to overlook the insecurity travel advisories, will now have to contend with the Ebola factor. Indeed, whereas KQ is reluctant to suspend flights on the West Africa route, Korean Airlines has announced plans to suspend all its flights to and from Nairobi from August 20 “to prevent the spread of the virus.”

According to Reuters, the Korea Air said it would determine whether to resume the flights based on a change in conditions, but did not elaborate. Surely, they are already treating us like an Ebola epidemic zone! We hope other airlines do not follow suit.

The fact is that, while we are strong believers in our capacity to manage the situation, there are those who appear not to be. It is as if they are ready to allow us to die our own death but they will not be part of it. It therefore behooves us to ensure that the structures and systems we put in place to control the possibility of an outbreak are convincingly water-tight. It is the only way to regain the confidence of the rest of the world, and hence stop them from placing medical travel advisories on Kenya, when in fact we are thousands of miles away from the affected zones.

At another level, it is unfortunate that this challenge, like others before it, finds the nation on the beginnings of yet another political duel. When the Mpeketoni attacks started, the Saba Saba campaign was just warming up.

The government was therefore forced to fight real enemies, yet with eyes firmly strained on the political arena. Whether this affected its efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with the Lamu factor is anybody’s guess.

In fact, for an inordinately long time, the whole affair was unfortunately politicised, to the possible detriment of identifying and dealing firmly with the real culprits. It can only be hoped that his time round, the attention of the government in dealing with the Ebola threat, will not be sidetracked by the brewing referendum storm, but instead focus will be maintained firmly on the Ebola ball.

It is encouraging to note that some practical preventative measures have already been put in place to deal with any eventualities. But it can only be hoped that the relevant state officers will not play politics with the lives of Kenyans who are already overwhelmed by the many challenges that life seems to be throwing their way.

Similarly, let the Opposition play its part in supporting whatever are the little government efforts aimed at preventing a possible intrusion of the deadly virus into Kenyan borders. This calls for a strong and multifaceted Operation Linda Nchi, so that we can dwell in a safe and secure nation.