Controversy Grows as Kenya Rules Out Public Input on US Ebola Facility Plan

Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said the government will not hold public consultation on the planned US-linked Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, citing urgent public health risks from a regional Ebola outbreak. He said the government is empowered under public health laws to act swiftly to protect citizens, especially amid the risk of cross-border spread from neighbouring countries. The project, tied to a Kenya–US health security agreement, has sparked protests, court action, and violence that left at least two people dead in Nanyuki. Despite a court order suspending the facility, the government says it remains part of Kenya’s Ebola preparedness plan.

Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has firmly stated that the government will not subject the planned US-linked Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base to public consultation, arguing that urgent public health threats override the need for wider public participation.
Speaking before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Duale defended the government’s handling of the proposed facility, saying Kenya is facing a heightened risk due to an Ebola outbreak in parts of the region. He insisted that the state has both a constitutional and moral responsibility to act swiftly to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect everyone within its borders, including citizens, visitors, and transit travellers.
Duale told lawmakers that the situation demands immediate action rather than prolonged public debate, stressing that “this epidemic does not require any consultation before Kenyans are infected.” He maintained that the Ministry of Health is legally empowered under the Public Health Act—specifically sections 35 and 36—to take all necessary measures to safeguard public safety in the face of contagious disease threats.
He further explained that Kenya cannot afford to take a passive approach given the ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, which continues to pose a regional risk. According to him, Kenya’s position as a major transport, tourism, and diplomatic hub increases its vulnerability to cross-border transmission, making preparedness measures essential.
The proposed quarantine facility, which is to be located at Laikipia Air Base approximately 8 kilometres from Nanyuki and about 200 kilometres north of Nairobi, has become a major point of national controversy. The site is situated in a region known for large-scale agriculture, livestock ranching, pastoralist activity, and wildlife conservancies near Mount Kenya, raising concerns among local communities and activists about safety, transparency, and environmental impact.
Public opposition to the project has been growing steadily, with residents, civil society groups, and political actors raising questions about the nature of the agreement and the level of foreign involvement. The controversy has already triggered court proceedings, protests, and intense parliamentary scrutiny.
Demonstrations outside the facility in Nanyuki escalated into violence earlier in the week, with authorities confirming that at least two people were killed during clashes between protesters and security forces. The unrest has further intensified national debate over whether the project should proceed.
Duale dismissed claims that the facility is exclusively intended for American use, stating that it would also serve Kenyans if necessary. He emphasized that the arrangement is governed by a long-standing biological threat reduction cooperation agreement between Kenya and the United States, originally signed during former US President Barack Obama’s visit in 2015. The agreement was later ratified by Parliament in 2017, renewed in 2022, and remains valid until 2029.
Despite legal challenges, including a High Court order temporarily suspending operations and directing the government to disclose the full details of the agreement, Duale indicated that the government remains committed to defending the project as a key component of national and regional epidemic preparedness.
He argued that the facility is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Kenya’s response capacity in the event of future outbreaks, especially given the country’s role as a regional gateway for travel, trade, and humanitarian movement.