Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday called on tourists to continue visiting the east African nation, which he said is free of Ebola virus that has claimed more than 4,800 lives in West Africa.

Kenyatta assured tourists that his government is capable of controlling the disease in the unfortunate event of a breakout, saying health officials are on high alert over possible outbreak.

"Kenya is safe from Ebola and you should have nothing to fear to come here," Kenyatta said in the coastal town of Kilifi.

The president's remarks came after the health ministry announced that it plans to train 30,000 health workers on Ebola screening, prevention, control and case management.

Ministry of Health Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri said that the training is being supported by 150 medical doctors specialized in infectious diseases control positioned across the country.

Ebola has so far killed more than 4,800 mainly in West African states of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. No case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya so far.

Kenyatta said tourists, especially those from Western countries, have been misinformed about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and assured them Kenya was safe. He said some commentators in the West have spread fear by erroneously claiming that every part of Africa has been affected by Ebola.

The president said Kenya has the capability to control the disease if it is detected in the region. "There is no Ebola in Kenya and we are able to control and contain it," he said.

He said the UN World Health Organisation has designated Kenya medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to monitor and test for the virus in the East African region.

"KEMRI has developed into a world class facility. It is a research leader not only in Kenya but also the whole of Africa and we will support this institution in every way we can," he said.

The health ministry has urged those who have travelled to countries with confirmed Ebola cases within the last 21 days to report to medical facilities if they develop symptoms associated with the disease.

The ministry said it shall continue to monitor the outbreak and keep Kenyans updated on key strategies being implemented to prevent the spread of Ebola to Kenya. Endi

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