CS Duale defends Laikipia Ebola facility, says it's not for US nationals only

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday clarified government plans surrounding a proposed Ebola preparedness and isolation facility in Laikipia County, amid growing public concern over its purpose and intended users.

The clarification came during a Citizen TV interview, where he was pressed on reports suggesting that United States nationals who contract Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo would be flown to Kenya for treatment at Laikipia Airbase under US medical supervision.

The CS was asked: “...you said Kenya is establishing that isolation facility in partnership with the US. So let's just set the record straight. Has Kenya agreed that US nationals who contract the Ebola virus in the DRC will be flown into the Laikipia airbase where they will be treated by US personnel? Is that the case?”

Duale dismissed that interpretation, saying Laikipia is one of several centres under Kenya’s broader preparedness framework and not designed for a single category of patients.

“Let me even say this. Laikipia is among the 11 or the 12 centres we're establishing. And we're establishing in the event of an Ebola case. So there are some facilities for treatment. There are some facilities for quarantine. There are some facilities for isolation. Even the one in Laikipia has a section for quarantine. Okay.”

He was then asked whether the facility would serve only foreign nationals or also be accessible to Kenyans.

“Are you saying all Kenyans will be able to access that facility in Laikipia airbase or is it strictly for US nationals?”

Duale emphasised inclusivity and the role of Kenyan forces in regional health preparedness.

“I am telling you, even in Congo, we have our own KDF forces. The Laikipia facility is for everybody.”

He further clarified that Kenyan institutions would run the facility. “Of course, by the Kenyan. The Kenyan defence forces have one of the most robust medical wings led by a major general.”

Pressed again on whether the facility would be exclusive to US nationals, he reiterated that the arrangement forms part of a wider international health preparedness effort.

“This facility, the US government has promised to give the Kenyan government $1.7 billion. That $1.7 billion, just like what support Africa CDC is giving us, just like what WHO is giving us. There are individual countries who pledged the other night when we were with the president to give us PPEs for Ebola.

"There are countries that are pledging, and they're talking to their capitals to make sure that they provide the reagents for the laboratories because our labs work 24 hours. And we are preparing the country in the event of a large-scale outbreak. And this is not something, you know, I saw people in a funeral, you know, we can talk about it. Let us not politicise it. Okay. This is a very serious public health threat.”

The health CS further said that over 1,000 healthcare workers have been trained on Ebola preparedness and response procedures as the government works to strengthen the country’s ability to detect and manage any potential cases.

“There is nothing shrouded about this Ebola quarantine process. We are putting in place 11 quarantine, isolation and treatment centres across the country as a safety measure just in case we get affected. It is our duty to ensure Kenyans are protected,” he said.

He also noted that 16 individuals have so far been tested for Ebola in Kenya, with all results confirming negative.

The government maintains that the initiative is part of a broader multi-country preparedness strategy aimed at strengthening Kenya’s capacity to respond to potential outbreaks. The debate over the Laikipia facility continues amid heightened public scrutiny of cross-border disease preparedness arrangements.