Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has called on the government to provide Kenyans with clear and honest answers regarding the controversial Ebola-related facility planned for Laikipia County.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Odhiambo said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale failed to assure the country that the government's decision-making on the matter was fully within the law and under control during his appearance before Parliament.
"Kenyans are entitled to clear, honest answers. Who authorised these arrangements, on what legal basis and with what safeguards for public health and sovereignty?" she posed.
Odhiambo said the Constitution requires government actions to be lawful, respect court orders and uphold public participation, adding that the concerns raised by citizens should not be dismissed without adequate explanation.
She noted that a High Court had already issued conservatory orders suspending the Ebola-related facility and cautioned against any suggestion that the government could proceed regardless of the court's directive.
"Constitutional obedience is not optional and it is not subject to administrative convenience," she said.
According to Odhiambo, public confidence in both the Ministry of Health and Parliament's oversight role could be undermined if critical questions surrounding the facility remain unanswered.
She further argued that the right to health under Article 43 of the Constitution must be considered alongside constitutional provisions on public participation, parliamentary oversight and the authority of the courts.
"You cannot promote public health by eroding the very legal framework that protects Kenyans from arbitrary executive action," she said.
Her remarks come amid continued public debate over the proposed Ebola-related facility in Laikipia and the government's handling of the matter.
On Wednesday, CS Duale said Kenya had received 1,000 Ebola personal protective equipment (PPE) kits from the World Health Organization (WHO) as the government intensifies preparedness measures against a potential outbreak of the deadly disease.
He told Parliament that the kits have already been delivered to the country and are being strategically prepositioned to support emergency response activities.
"In infection prevention and control, the World Health Organization has provided 1000 Ebola PPE kits, which are available in the country and being prepositioned to support preparedness activities," Duale said.
He said the initial deployment is focused on key referral facilities and high-risk entry points across the country.
"Initial preposition is focused on strategic sites, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Mombasa, MTRH in Eldoret, and other high-risk points of entry," he said.
The announcement comes as the government strengthens surveillance and screening measures at airports and border crossings amid regional concerns over the spread of infectious diseases.
