Public backlash against the establishment of a US Ebola quarantine centre in Nanyuki has forced MPs to reconsider their earlier stance on the controversial project.
On Tuesday, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that no American infected with Ebola would be permitted to enter the US, which has also caused the lawmakers to reconsider the agreement.
The MPs said that Secretary Rubio's remarks touched on Kenya's sovereignty, which no agreement could surpass.
According to the MPs, Mr Rubio's comments mean that the facility would only treat Americans at the expense of Kenyan nationals.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addresses the National Assembly in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a session in which he responded to Members' questions concerning the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia County.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
"We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States," Mr Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting.
There are also questions about clear provision in setting up of the isolation centre. Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula described Mr Rubio remarks ‘a very irresponsible statement’.
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo said Kenyans are not worried by the setting up of the centre in the country but by the statements made by the US Secretary of State.
“The statement seems to imply that this facility is for Americans to protect Americans so that the infected Americans do not touch American soil,” Ms Odhiambo said.
“We have seen our counterparts in West Africa when they are being bullied by the French, they take a firm position and say no. So what are we doing to tell America that although they are a friendly nation, we cannot allow a situation that compromises our own nationals to maintain that friendship, we cannot allow such things in Kenya,” she added.
Laikipia North MP Sara Korere termed the remarks by the US Secretary of State as unfortunate saying it bears all the hallmarks of a country still under colonisation.
“It is unfortunate that we saw a US Secretary of State in Washington declaring that they will not allow even one single case of an Ebola-infected US citizen to set foot in America. We feel as if we are still being colonised,” She said.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge said there is no way Mr Duale can fail to respond to Mr Rubio's remarks that have got Kenyans talking.
“The CS cannot abdicate responsibility,” Mr Mathenge said.
Minority leader Junet Mohamed said the elephant in the room that the government must confront is the issue of sovereignty.
“The questions Kenyans are grappling with: how does the government intend to safeguard Kenya’s sovereignty and decision making authority? Is it the foreign government that will decide who gets admitted to the facility? Posed Mr Mohamed.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed during the vetting of Cabinet Secretaries nominees at County Hall in Nairobi on August 02, 2024.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
“Have you done security assessment and public participation? If these questions can be answered, then Kenyans will feel safe,” he added.
Chairman of the Health committee James Nyikal said the agreement has a provision that focuses on mutual agreement between the parties which must be adhered to now.
“The agreement does not obligate the government to put an Ebola unit. This agreement was general. I would also like to know, science has proved that when people are sick in a pandemic or disease, you treat them where they are, you don’t move sick people to where there is no disease,” Dr Nyikal said.
“Where in the agreement does it state that we should protect other nationals at the expense of Kenyans because I don’t think the House can approve such an agreement? added Kathiani MP Robert Mbui.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said there is no provision in the agreement that states America will set up an Ebola isolation centre in the country.
Appearing before the plenary on Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale assured the House that the cooperation agreement does not mean that the country will surrender its sovereign authority saying the international partners will only provide technical assistance.
“All public health decisions remain under the authority of the government of Kenya. International partners will provide technical assistance, commodities, financing, training and logistical support,” Mr Duale said.
According to Duale, the facility will not be American, but will also treats all Kenyans.
Mr Duale told the House that the Kenya-US biological engagement agreement was originally signed in July 2015 during President Barack Obama’s State visit to Kenya.
The agreement was ratified by the National Assembly in February 2017 and renewed in April 2022 for further seven years. A separate health cooperation agreement was signed in December 2025.
“I wish to state clearly that Kenya and the US government signed an agreement on cooperation in a threat reduction biological engagement program on July 24, 2015 during the State visit of President Barack Obama,” Mr Duale told the House.
“The Cabinet thereafter approved the agreement in April 2016 and subsequently introduced it in Parliament and laid it on the table of the House on July 19, 2016. Upon undergoing the necessary parliamentary procedures, public participation and processes, the House approved ratification of the agreement on February 9, 2017,” he added.
When the House ratified the first agreement, Mr Duale was the majority leader while Amos Kimunya was the leader of government business when it was renewed.
The first agreement was signed by former Health CS James Macharia while the current agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe was in charge during the renewal.
