Kenya Air Force Commander to head joint US-Kenya Laikipia Ebola isolation centre

The proposed Ebola isolation and treatment facility in Laikipia County is one of 23 such units being established across the country under Kenya’s national preparedness and response framework, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has told Parliament.

Duale said the facilities are being developed as part of a coordinated national strategy jointly implemented by Kenya and the United States to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to highly infectious diseases.

Duale told lawmakers that the operations of the Laikipia facility and other designated centres will be jointly run under a structured command system involving the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Ministry of Health.

He said the command structure will include the KDF Air Force Commander, Base commanders and military medical teams working closely with civilian health experts from the Ministry of Health to ensure strict containment, rapid response and operational efficiency.

“The facilities will be jointly operated under a coordinated command involving the KDF Air Force Commander, Base commanders and military medical teams working together with the Ministry of Health,” he said.

Duale added that the arrangement underscores Kenya’s readiness to handle complex infectious disease outbreaks while strengthening its position as a regional medical hub capable of managing high-risk public health emergencies such as Ebola.

However, he noted that the legal framework surrounding the international health agreement and containment arrangements is currently before court.

“In keeping with the doctrine of sub judice and the Standing Orders of this House, I will not discuss the merits of any active litigation,” he said.

“I will, however, continue to provide this House with the government’s health position and preparedness status.”

The CS also highlighted the regional dimension of the preparedness plan, noting that a significant number of Kenyans are currently working in Ebola-affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

He further informed Parliament that approximately 450 KDF personnel are deployed in the DRC under the United Nations MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, raising potential exposure risks that require robust quarantine and isolation capacity upon return.

“Any of these Kenyans could be exposed and could require an isolation and quarantine facility upon return to Kenya,” he said.

Duale said the government has already established and designated multiple isolation and treatment facilities across the country, including national referral hospitals, county isolation units, temporary holding areas at points of entry and other specialized treatment sites.

He explained that all these facilities are being progressively assessed for quality, safety and readiness to ensure rapid deployment in the event of a suspected or confirmed Ebola case.

“All such facilities are meant for the protection of the people of Kenya and all persons within Kenyan borders and are coordinated under the authority of the Government of Kenya,” he said.

The government maintains that the multi-layered response system is designed to enhance early detection, strengthen containment capacity and ensure Kenya remains prepared for any emerging infectious disease threat.