President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s decision to support the establishment of an Ebola preparedness facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, insisting the move is part of a long-standing partnership with the United States and aimed at strengthening the country’s readiness against potential outbreaks.
Speaking to the media on Monday evening, the President said the decision followed a request from U.S. President Donald Trump and was based on Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation in tackling global health threats.
“Our partnership with the American government is a mutual agreement. When President Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Air Base I gave the okay because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years,” he said.
He noted that the United States has for decades supported Kenya’s health sector through funding and technical assistance in the fight against diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola.
Ruto dismissed claims that the proposed facility was unique or posed an extraordinary risk, arguing that similar emergency response centres already exist across the country.
“The facility is not different from all the others we have across Kenya. We have 23 other facilities set up in Kenyatta Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the Kenyatta Hospital in Thika, Alupe Hospital in Busia and many others,” Ruto added.
“These facilities are meant to make sure that there is proper screening and if there is any positive identification of people who have Ebola, they are immediately isolated and treated so that there is no spread of the disease.”
The President further defended the government’s preparedness efforts, warning that the threat of Ebola spreading beyond affected countries remains real.
“Those questioning our preparedness, are they telling us that we should not be ready? The fact that we could end up with a case is not far-fetched. We have many Kenyans in DRC and if they were to become victims of Ebola we would have a responsibility to take care of them,” he said.
“We are a responsible government. Politicians should avoid reckless talk. I am confident about what we are doing as a country.”
His remarks came amid growing public concern over reports that the facility could be used to manage individuals exposed to Ebola, including foreign nationals. On Monday, hundreds of residents in Nanyuki staged protests against the planned facility, citing fears over possible health risks and demanding its relocation. Security officers blocked demonstrators from accessing the military installation.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has also defended the initiative, saying the facility is intended to serve both Kenyan and American nationals, particularly personnel operating in high-risk regions, and forms part of the country’s broader disease preparedness strategy.
However, the plan has encountered a legal hurdle after the High Court issued conservatory orders temporarily stopping the government from establishing or operationalising any Ebola-related quarantine, isolation or treatment facility under arrangements involving the United States or any other foreign government.
The orders were issued following a petition filed by Katiba Institute challenging the legality and transparency of the proposed arrangement. The court also barred the government from admitting, receiving or facilitating the entry of Ebola-exposed or infected individuals into Kenya under the disputed programme until the case is heard and determined.
The controversy comes as health authorities continue to monitor the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 1,000 confirmed cases and hundreds of deaths have been reported since mid-May, heightening concerns across the region over possible cross-border transmission.
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