President William Ruto has publicly addressed the controversial proposal to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, revealing that the initiative was approved following a request from US President Donald Trump.
The president’s remarks come amid growing public debate, court battles, protests and criticism from opposition leaders, civil society groups and healthcare professionals over the planned facility in Nanyuki.
Speaking during a roundtable interview with North Eastern journalists at Wajir State Lodge on Monday, June 1, Ruto defended the government’s decision and criticised efforts to turn the matter into a political issue.
“I do not understand why anyone would seek to gain political mileage from a serious public health matter such as a potential pandemic. We are a responsible government and fully understand what we are doing,” Ruto said.
Ruto Explains How the Deal Emerged
For the first time, the head of state disclosed that the proposal stemmed from a direct request by Trump as part of the longstanding health partnership between Kenya and the United States.
According to Ruto, Kenya agreed to host the facility because of decades of collaboration with Washington on major health programmes, including HIV/AIDS interventions, Ebola preparedness and COVID-19 vaccine research.
“When President Trump requested Kenya’s support by establishing a centre at Laikipia Air Base, I approved it because it was part of an agreement with a partner that has worked closely with Kenya for many years,” Ruto said.
He noted that American support has played a significant role in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare sector and scientific research institutions, including collaborations involving the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
“The Facility Is Not Unique”
Ruto argued that the proposed quarantine centre is not fundamentally different from existing infectious disease management facilities already operating across the country.
He said Kenya currently has more than 20 similar facilities in hospitals including Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Thika Level 5 Hospital and Alupe Hospital, among others.
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According to the president, such facilities are designed to screen, isolate and treat patients with highly infectious diseases to prevent community transmission.
“The objective is to ensure proper screening and, where necessary, immediate isolation and treatment of infected individuals to stop the disease from spreading,” he explained.
Court Challenge Halts Implementation
The controversy intensified after plans emerged for a 50-bed quarantine facility intended to monitor and isolate American citizens potentially exposed to Ebola rather than repatriate them to the United States.
The facility was expected to operate under a broader Kenya-US health partnership agreement that would see Washington commit billions of shillings to Kenya’s health sector between 2026 and 2030.
However, the project was temporarily halted on May 29 after Patricia Nyaundi issued interim orders suspending its implementation following a petition filed by Katiba Institute.
The court barred the government from establishing or operating any Ebola-related facility under the agreement and from admitting individuals exposed to or infected with Ebola into Kenya until the case is determined.
The ruling has placed the future of the proposed Laikipia facility in limbo as legal proceedings continue.