News02 June 2026 - 12:06

[PHOTOS] Activists protest against proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki

The protests came as legal proceedings linked to the project continued at the Milimani Law Courts

by PERPETUA ETYANG

Audio By Vocalize

A group of activists staged protests outside the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on Tuesday over the planned construction of an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.

The demonstrators, who gathered, carried placards and a symbolic coffin as they expressed opposition to the proposed establishment of Ebola quarantine facilities in the country.

The protests came as legal proceedings linked to the project continued at the Milimani Law Courts, where the court ordered the government to disclose all agreements, negotiations, approvals, risk assessments and operational protocols related to the Kenya–US proposed Ebola quarantine facility.

The activists argued that the government should be more transparent about the scope, safety standards and potential risks associated with the facility before its full implementation.

Activist Ojilo Odhiambo said Kenyans will unite in resisting the government's move to construct an Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia.

"We will resist the government's move to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya. It is our democratic right. We are here to say that we don't want an Ebola quarantine centre in Kenya," he said.

The planned facility at Laikipia Air Base has recently attracted public attention amid ongoing discussions on Kenya’s preparedness to handle potential Ebola cases and strengthen quarantine capacity in partnership with international allies.

The Ministry of Health has, however, maintained that Kenya is enhancing its disease surveillance and emergency response systems, including isolation and quarantine infrastructure, as part of broader public health preparedness efforts.

On Monday, President William Ruto defended the planned Ebola preparedness facility at Laikipia Air Base, urging politicians and other leaders to stop politicising what he described as a critical national health security initiative.

Speaking during a roundtable interview with North Eastern-based journalists at the Wajir State Lodge on Monday, the President dismissed criticism surrounding the project, saying the government was acting responsibly to protect Kenyans from future disease outbreaks.

"We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. People should relax. Politicians should avoid reckless, unnecessary talk that doesn't mean anything," Ruto said.

The President said the facility is part of Kenya's broader strategy to strengthen preparedness against infectious diseases through long-standing partnerships with the United States and other international allies.

Ruto noted that similar collaborations had helped Kenya respond to major health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola.

"The American government accepted to work with us on HIV/AIDS, to work with us on other diseases, and they worked with us on Ebola," he said.

The Head of State rejected claims that the Laikipia facility was unusual, pointing out that Kenya already operates more than 20 similar specialised facilities across the country, including at Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Thika and Alupe hospitals.

According to the president, the facilities are designed to support early screening, isolation and treatment of Ebola patients in the event of an outbreak, helping prevent wider transmission.