The threat of the hemorrhagic Ebola fever finding its way into the country is something that the government appears not to have taken quite seriously.
Initial focus in dealing with the possibility of Ebola coming into the country had seen the Government concentrate its efforts at the airports, where it assured the citizens that the country was prepared to deal with any cases that may develop.
Incoming passengers were subjected to high-level screening at the airport, even as the national carrier, Kenya Airways, continued its operations in the lucrative West African route.
To enhance its preparedness, the Ministry of Health made a request for Sh671 million from the Treasury, ostensibly to bolster its preparedness in fighting Ebola should there be an outbreak in the country.
These stringent regulations at the airport have compelled travellers intending to come into the country to seek alternative routes. Many of them now gain entry into the country through the Malaba and Busia on the border with Uganda.
Despite assurances from the Government that efforts to screen people coming into the country have been intensified, it now appears that there are no testing kits at the two border points and this is exposing the country to the serious risk of an outbreak of the viral disease.
Immigration officials at the border point have no medical training or authority to restrict entry into the country if travel documents and entry requirements are in order.
Another dimension to this is the go-slow in the medical sector. Doctors have downed their tools to protest delayed salaries. So the question remains: Is the country, in the midst of a strike by medical personnel, really ready to combat Ebola?
Several legislators have expressed fear that the Sh671 million requested to enhance its effectiveness could be put to bad use.
Why has the Ministry of Health not bought the relevant gear and ensured that medical personnel are stationed at all entry points into the country? For a disease like Ebola, prevention often is better than cure, given its nature and mode of transmission. It is cause for worry therefore when there are no adequate facilities to quarantine and separate the affected. That is dangerous because it puts many people at risk.
It is encouraging to see the partnership between the Government and the US Centre for Disease and Control and Prevention. Hiring highly competent personnel to man the borders is one step towards preventing the spread of the killer scourge into the country.
Another critical step is resolving all matters raised by the medical fraternity, especially the one to do with the transfer of management of health services to the new county units.
Though well intentioned, that move now seems ill-thought-out and calls for urgent review.
Transferring such vital services to the nascent units exposes the country to great danger because when epidemics break out, the first counter is logistical planning, which is deficient in units with disparate jurisdictions.
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