Members of Parliament from the Nyanza region have urged the government to strengthen measures aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola into Kenya through cross-border activities on Lake Victoria.
The legislators expressed concern over the frequent interactions between Kenyan traders and their counterparts from Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), countries that have previously experienced Ebola outbreaks.
They warned that the extensive movement of people and goods across the lake could expose local communities to the deadly disease if adequate preventive measures are not put in place.
The appeal follows revelations that residents of Kenya regularly engage in trade with Ugandans, Tanzanians and Congolese nationals on several islands in Lake Victoria, including Remba, Ringiti and Takawiri.
The business activities involve the exchange of various goods transported across the lake, creating constant contact among communities from different countries.
Speaking during a church fundraiser at Malela SDA Church in Ndhiwa Constituency, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, Seme MP James Nyikal and Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo called on the national government to prioritize the safety of Kenyans living around the lake.
Senator Kajwang’ noted that Lake Victoria serves as an important economic corridor that facilitates trade among East African countries, but the same connectivity can also increase the risk of disease transmission.
He said the government should urgently implement preventive strategies to protect residents who depend on the lake for their livelihoods.
According to the senator, traders and fishermen frequently interact with people from neighbouring countries, making border health surveillance essential.
Kajwang’ further urged the government to focus its attention on protecting Kenyan citizens from possible infection, arguing that public health interventions should prioritize the welfare of local communities.
“Our people interact with traders from Uganda and the DRC through business activities on Lake Victoria. We want the government to put effective safeguards in place to ensure that residents are protected from Ebola,” he said.
Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino cautioned leaders against turning public health issues into political debates. He emphasized that efforts to establish quarantine facilities and strengthen disease surveillance should be supported by all stakeholders.
Owino said quarantine centres are critical in containing any potential outbreak and preventing the virus from spreading to the wider population. He called on the government to ensure the facilities are fully equipped and adequately staffed.
He added that the centres should have the capacity to conduct contact tracing, isolate suspected cases and provide appropriate medical care if infections are detected.
Seme MP James Nyikal also supported the government’s plan to establish quarantine centres across the country, describing the initiative as a necessary step in disease preparedness.
However, Nyikal maintained that individuals who are already infected during an epidemic should receive treatment and containment measures in the locations where they are diagnosed, rather than being transported elsewhere.
He stressed that established public health practices require strict containment of infectious diseases to minimize the risk of transmission.
Nyikal reiterated his support for the creation of 23 quarantine centres, saying isolation facilities play a key role in managing suspected cases and protecting the public from outbreaks.
The leaders collectively called for enhanced screening measures, increased public awareness campaigns and stronger disease surveillance systems along Kenya’s borders and lake transport routes to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country through cross-border trade and movement.
