NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Chief Justice and presidential candidate David Maraga has urged the government to avoid repeating mistakes made during the Covid-19 pandemic as Kenya responds to its first reported imported case of Ebola.
Maraga called for transparency and decisive action to contain the disease after returning to Kenya from a tour of the United States.
He also questioned the country’s preparedness to manage the case, recalling assurances given by authorities following demonstrations by residents in Nanyuki over concerns about the disease.
“Let us not repeat the mistakes of the COVID-19 pandemic as we handle this first ‘imported’ Ebola. Certainly, let’s not make Ebola billionaires out of this unfortunate crisis,” Maraga said.
He said Kenyans had been assured that the situation was under control and that measures had been put in place to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We don’t know how many have been infected. We must demand that appropriate action be taken so that we don’t have those kinds of deaths arising from that disease,” he said.
Government Intensifies Ebola Response
Maraga’s remarks come amid calls for authorities to provide timely information on containment measures, contact tracing and the risk of further transmission.
President William Ruto has ordered an enhanced government response after Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case, with the patient dying while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Ruto directed the National Security Council Committee to convene, assess the situation and recommend measures to safeguard the country.
The directive followed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s confirmation on Tuesday that the patient had died at Nairobi Hospital on Monday night.
Following the committee’s meeting, the government intensified surveillance, contact tracing and other public health measures.
49 Contacts Placed Under Monitoring
Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily symptom monitoring, according to State House.
Twenty-one healthcare workers who attended to the patient have also been placed under quarantine and are being monitored.
Authorities have additionally extended contact tracing to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya.
“So far, 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, and the appropriate public health measures are being undertaken,” Mohamed said.
The figures announced by State House amount to 56 people placed under quarantine or contacted for public health measures, comprising eight family members, 21 healthcare workers and 27 passengers.
The deceased was buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
The government has continued to urge the public to remain calm and rely on verified information as health authorities carry out surveillance and contact tracing.
