Mt Kenya MPs Pressure Government Over Proposed Ebola Quarantine Centre

Kenya’s proposed plan to host a US-funded Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Laikipia County has faced opposition from local leaders and been temporarily halted by the High Court.

On Friday, Members of Parliament from Laikipia said they unanimously rejected the proposal, citing a lack of consultation and transparency. In a joint statement, the legislators questioned why Laikipia had been selected for the facility and said county leaders and residents had not received adequate information about the project.

“Our 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 Laikipia County,” the MPs said.

The dispute intensified after President William Ruto announced plans to build the centre at the Nanyuki airbase with more than Ksh1.7 billion in funding from the United States. Critics said the government had not explained why Ebola cases could not be handled closer to outbreak areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo instead of establishing a facility in Kenya, which has not recorded any infections.

The project has also faced legal challenges. On 28 May, the High Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders suspending the plan following a petition filed by the Katiba Institute. Justice Patricia Nyaundi barred the government from facilitating or approving any Ebola-related quarantine or treatment facility by foreign agencies until the case is heard and determined.

Despite the court order, the United States has continued with its own response measures. The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps confirmed that it had deployed a specialised Ebola response team to Kenya to support the care and monitoring of American citizens returning from the DRC.

The team includes physicians, nurses, laboratory technologists, mental health specialists and engineers. Officials said the personnel have previous experience from Liberia’s 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak and have received advanced training in protective equipment and protocols linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The developments have added pressure to the Kenya–US health partnership as questions continue over the government’s handling of the proposed facility. While U.S. officials said their mission is intended to protect American citizens, the limited public information surrounding the Laikipia project has increased concern among Kenyan leaders and residents.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Ministry of Health has increased surveillance at airports and border entry points and established a National Response Committee to strengthen preparedness measures.