Kenya-US Ebola deal a betrayal

It was only later it emerged the US had struck a secret deal with the Kenya Government for her citizens suspected of carrying the deadly virus out of the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to be brought here instead of being flown home.

It is the height of criminal irresponsibility, and traitorous betrayal of our sovereignty, for anyone to sign on to such a deal.

If the US will not take in her own citizens who may be infected with Ebola, it defeats logic and reason why Kenya should be so willing to do so.

This is not to say that Kenya is not in dire need of a facility such as that being put up. The level of road and air traffic via Uganda and into and from Ebola hotspots in the eastern DRC leaves no doubt as to our vulnerability; and consequent imperative for a first-class quarantine, isolation and treatment centre.

Infections and deaths

Although there is no direct border between Kenya and Congo, the Kenya-Uganda border crossing at Malaba and Busia process approximately 1,000 trucks each daily in both directions. Some of those trucks traverse our eastern neighbour into eastern DRC ferrying manufactured goods, consumer products, construction materials and fuel.

There is an even larger number of buses and private cars crossing to and from Uganda hourly, as well as very heavy foot traffic through both the formal immigration posts, as well as unofficial routes across the porous border.

Air traffic between Kenya and Uganda, a leading trading partner, is substantial with dozens of flights daily, and in addition existence of notable air links with the DRC. Daily flights ferry thousands of business and transit passengers to and from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa and the southern-eastern city of Lubumbashi. Some regional airlines have also been handling brisk traffic between Kenya and Goma and other towns in eastern DRC.
Uganda has, so far, confirmed nine Ebola cases, all reportedly imported from DRC, and one death.

The focal points in the eastern DRC have recorded over 900 suspected cases, over 280 confirmed cases, and 42 confirmed deaths. The number of infections and deaths in the ungoverned region where rebel movements hold large swathes of territory is believed to be much higher than official data suggests.

A facility that as such being put up at the Kenya Air Force base in Laikipia is thus an absolute necessity; but it is completely unacceptable when established by a foreign government only for its own people.

The American deal laid bare our government’s contempt for its own citizens. We remained blissfully unaware of the secret arrangement until reported by international news outlets, and then confirmed by the US Government. Our Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale initially was mute to media queries, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s Foreign Ministry appeared unaware of the shady arrangement.

Economical with the truth

It was only after American confirmation that Mr Duale reluctantly conceded; but he was very economical with the truth, alluding only to ongoing discussions rather than to the fact that it was already a done deal.

President William Ruto also remained silent for some time, but when he eventually talked did not specifically refer to the US Ebola facility in Kenya, only making a vague statement in defence of international cooperation on such issues.

Kenyan courts have put a temporary hold on the Ebola facility, but there are credible reports that in usual contempt of court orders, the Ruto and Trump administrations are moving ahead.

This is where the Kenyan people must themselves come out with very firm and unequivocal No! This is not about Kenya Kwanza or the opposition, but the health and lives of all in the country.

Before any further steps, we must demand that Kenyan and US authorities make public the full text of the agreement; and further provide that if it will be established, the facility will be available to all in Kenya rather than standing as some exclusive Yankee outpost within our borders.

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At the National Prayer Breakfast of ruling tumbocrats last week, some nabob suggested God will determine the outcome of the next elections. Do not fall for those lies; it is you, the voter, who will decide.

Mr Gaitho, an independent journalist, is former NMG Managing Editor for Special Projects. [email protected]