Ministries to deliberate on zika virus threat

Kenya's participation in the Rio Olympics remains unconfirmed in light of the Zika virus threat.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario yesterday told a parliamentary committee that athletes' health must be considered before the team is cleared to represent the country in the August Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"We have already convened a meeting between us and the Ministry of Health. We are not taking chances. Our priority will be the health of our athletes," Dr Wario told the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee yesterday.

Head of Kenya's Olympics committee, Kipchoge Keino speaks during a Reuters interview inside his office in Kenya's capital Nairobi, February 9, 2016. (PHOTO: REUTERS/THOMAS MUKOYA)

"We have been told the virus could be spread through saliva or sexual contact. We are told Brazilians like kissing and we do not want to take chances. We will make an apt decision upon the advice of health experts."

Senators demanded to know the Government's plans about Summer Olympics following the outbreak of the Zika virus, which has been declared a global threat by the World Health organisation.

Nominated Senator Martha Wangari said: "We have heard of the effects of the Zika virus and how dangerous it is. It is important for the country to know what the ministry was planning to ensure the safety of our athletes."

"Can the ministry assure us that it is looking into this matter for the security of our athletes?" she asked.

Committee members led by Chairman Stewart Madzayo asked Wario to update the Senate on the progress. The CS did not specify the date of the meeting.

Wario spoke a day after athletics official Kipchoge Keino said Kenya could skip the olympics over the Zika virus threat. Dr Keino, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman, said the matter needs wide consultations.

"We will wait until the last minute. We are relying on advice from health organisations in Rio, Brazil, to enable us make an informed decision. If the Zika virus is serious, then we will not attend the games. We will not expose our youths. The health of our people is more important than the games.

"But if the Zika virus is not so dangerous, we will go for the games," the 1968 Olympic Games 1,500m champion added.

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei said they had not discussed the issue but will wait to be advised accordingly by medical experts and the Government. "We will have intense consultations with the Government. I think by August we will have a solution," he said.