Premium
Laikipia leaders unite to oppose US Ebola facility
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Laikipia County elected leaders have celebrated a Friday court ruling that put the brakes on the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine centre in the area.
The court, through prayers presented by Katiba Institute, halted the move until the case is fully litigated.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, his West counterpart Mr Wachira Karani, North's Ms Sarah Korere and Woman Rep Jane Kagiri said they are opposed to the project.
"In our view, and as the representatives of the great people of Laikipia County, we see no logic in Kenya and Laikipia County hosting such a facility," they said in a statement.
The United States had said it would set up a 50-bed quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki town for high-risk Americans exposed to Ebola in the DRC outbreak
It said the goal was to keep exposed US citizens out of its borders; if they developed symptoms of the deadly Ebola strains, they would get care at the base, then be evacuated to a third country.
The operationalization details are that the facility would have 30 US Public Health Service officers and was to open today, Friday 29 May 2026.
It is believed that Kenya reportedly gave written approval for the US to use land at the air force base.
But on Friday, Judge Patricia Nyaundi barred Kenya from admitting anyone exposed to/infected with Ebola under the US deal until the case is heard
The petitioners argued that the issue raises “grave constitutional concerns” over life, health and public participation, the judge setting the next hearing for June 2 2026.
The DRC is dealing with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, where over 900 suspected cases and over 200deaths have been reported. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a public health emergency.
In the concerns raised by Kenyans, the crux of it is that their country having no known/suspected Ebola cases as of now, their borders should be kept off the politics of the quarantine centre.
There’s been pushback by several quarters drawn from medical groups and unions who say Kenya is being used as a “containment colony”.
In the Laikipia elected leaders' statement, they said their collective conscience is greatly disturbed by the news that there is an intention by the Government of Kenya to have an Ebola Quarantine and Treatment Facility in their region.
"We strongly recognize the importance of coordinated efforts to protect humanity against the spread of such dangerous outbreaks; however, we have serious concerns and questions that need to be answered before any move is taken," they said.
They wondered why the Government has not given full disclosure of its intentions and why it must be Laikipia.
"Why Laikipia? What does the US Government know about this that they are not accepting their own affected citizens into their soil but are ready to have them elsewhere?" they posed.
The leaders wondered why the US government is not setting up the facility at the source of the outbreak, which is the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"That, logically, can be the solution that will post greater, speedy and efficient management," they said.
Also Read: Inside Trump secret Ebola deal with Kenya
They wondered why the US Government, with its might, both in terms of influence and resources, wouldn't consider it more prudent to set up a full-fledged facility to deal with the outbreak in DRC.
"Furthermore, the people of Laikipia and Kenya at large deserve full transparency from the National Government on this matter.The safety and protection of our people must and should remain the highest priority," they said.
They urged the residents of Laikipia and Kenyans at large to remain calm as the relevant government agencies provided clarification on the matter "that is of utmost importance to all of us".
This came as Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) boss Mr Rigathi Gachagua lauded the Judiciary for the brakes against the project.
"The judiciary must at all times remain steady as the last line of defence in saving the Kenyan public from the excesses of a rogue regime that has gone berserk with sheer impunity," he said.
He said he saluted and welcomed the High Court of Kenya ruling "on putting brakes on the evil scheme to establish an Ebola Center in our country, putting millions of lives at risk".
He said he too commended the people of Kenya "especially our Health professionals for boldly speaking out against this reckless and ill thought out of misadventure".
He said, "Kenyans will not allow a desperate regime to endanger their lives...while other Nations are protecting their people against Health Pandemics, Kenya is exposing the Kenyan people to death".
He posed: "What is greed? What is reckless? What is patriotism?"
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
