Ruto defends controversial Laikipia Ebola facility as Kenya named among high-risk countries

President William Ruto has defended the planned establishment of a U.S-linked Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, insisting that Kenya must remain prepared amid growing regional concerns over the spread of the deadly virus.

His remarks came as Kenya was listed among 10 African countries considered to be at high risk of the latest Ebola outbreak currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

During an online briefing on May 24, 2026 Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya identified South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, the Republic of the Congo and Burundi as countries facing elevated risk due to their proximity and connectivity to the affected nations.

“We have two affected countries and 10 countries at high risk. All other African countries, because they are not bordering the two affected countries, we are not calling them at risk for now, but depending on the way the outbreak is moving, we can reconsider this,” Kaseya said.

According to Africa CDC, at least 745 suspected and confirmed Ebola cases and 176 probable deaths had been reported by late May following the declaration of the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15. More recent figures indicate that confirmed cases have risen to 1,031, with 240 deaths recorded in the DRC.

The Ebola virus causes symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, body pain and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that fatality rates vary depending on the virus strain but can be extremely high.

Speaking on the matter yesterday evening having steered clear of the controversial topic in his lengthy 63^rd Madaraka Day at Wajir Stadium, June 1, 2026, the president said the facility was part of a long-standing partnership between Kenya and the United States and dismissed criticism surrounding the project as politically motivated.

“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,” Ruto said.

“The American government has deployed huge resources in Kenya on HIV/AIDS, on Ebola and other diseases.”

President Ruto maintained that Kenya could not afford to ignore the possibility of the virus spreading beyond the affected countries.

“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.”

The president said that Kenya already operates 23 emergency response facilities equipped to isolate and manage Ebola cases if detected.

However, medics union, KMPDU whose members are the frontline workers have openly contradicted this position saying the country is ill-equipped in terms of preparedness, infrastructure and personnel.

The points of entry bordering Kenya and Uganda also lack adequate testing facilities on Kenyan side.

He cited facilities at Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Thika Level 5 Hospital and Alupe Hospital in Busia among those prepared to handle outbreaks.

“The facility is not different from all the others we have across Kenya,” Ruto said. “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.”

Despite the government’s assurances, the proposed facility has sparked widespread opposition.

Tension gripped Nanyuki on Monday as hundreds of residents and youth groups staged demonstrations against the project, expressing fears that hosting an Ebola isolation centre could expose local communities to health risks. Security officers prevented protesters from reaching the military installation as demonstrators demanded that the facility be relocated.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has also defended the project, dismissing claims that it is intended exclusively for American citizens exposed to Ebola.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Duale said the centre would serve both Kenyan and American nationals, particularly personnel operating in high-risk regions, and forms part of Kenya’s broader preparedness strategy against infectious disease outbreaks.

The controversy has since moved to the courts. The High Court recently issued conservatory orders temporarily barring the government from establishing the facility under any arrangement with the United States or any other foreign government.

The orders followed a petition filed by Katiba Institute challenging the legality of agreements allowing Kenya to receive or manage Ebola cases linked to foreign governments.

The court further prohibited the government from admitting, transferring, receiving or facilitating the entry of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the disputed arrangement until the matter is fully heard and determined.

Today, June 2, 2026, Duale is expected to appear before the National Assembly Health Committee to explain the government’s plans for the facility and address concerns raised by lawmakers and the public.