'We hear your cries' soldier calms Nanyuki crowd protesting over Ebola facility

A military officer stationed in Nanyuki on Monday appealed to local residents to maintain peace and use official administrative channels to voice their grievances regarding a controversial, state-backed medical project.

The officer urged members of the public to protest peacefully and submit their written petition directly to the military leadership against the proposed Ebola quarantine facility earmarked for setup at the Laikipia Airbase.

Addressing a tense but receptive crowd outside the military installations, the officer assured the demonstrators that their formal grievances would not be ignored or brushed under the carpet.

Instead, he guaranteed that every documented concern would be systematically escalated to the highest levels of governance.

“Your cries have been heard, we are here to work and we do not have any intention to harm anybody,” the officer said as the crowd applauded. “You are our children, our brothers and sisters, our mothers. Give us your petition and we will forward it to authorities.”

The proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia has sparked widespread concern and protests among some residents who fear the project could inadvertently expose their local communities to catastrophic health risks.

Over the last few days, picketing demonstrators have called on the national government to pause the rollout and provide more comprehensive information about the facility, its structural safety measures, and the underlying reasons behind choosing Laikipia County as the prime location.

Local residents argue that while they fully support national efforts to strengthen Kenya's overall preparedness against infectious diseases, public participation and administrative transparency are critical in projects of such public magnitude.

Beyond immediate health anxieties, many have expressed deep economic fears that the facility could negatively affect local businesses, suppress regional tourism, and plummet property values if not properly managed by experts.

Health authorities, however, have strongly maintained that the quarantine centre is intended to enhance Kenya's capacity to respond to potential Ebola outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Defending the technical layout of the site, national officials insist that the facility will strictly adhere to stringent international safety standards and pose absolutely no danger to nearby communities.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has stepped in to directly address the unfolding crisis, allaying escalating public concerns over the planned Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at the Laikipia Airbase.

Responding to local rumors that the highly secure military facility was being built for foreign use or exclusive geopolitical access, Duale dismissed the allegations as completely unfounded.

The Cabinet Secretary insisted that the centre is a national asset that will be open to all patients in need of care and will definitely not be reserved for United States citizens.