A UDA senator has stirred fresh controversy over the proposed US-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya after suggesting that the centre should be established near State House instead of Laikipia if the government is convinced it is completely safe.
The senator, Karango who has been among leaders questioning the project, argued that top government officials should be willing to host the facility closer to them if there is genuinely no risk to Kenyans.
“If this quarantine centre is safe as the government says, then let it be built next to State House so that those approving it can also be near it,” Senator Karango reportedly remarked, a statement that has since sparked widespread debate online and among political circles.
The comments come as public opposition continues to mount against plans to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
The facility is intended to host American citizens and personnel who may be exposed to Ebola while working in parts of East and Central Africa where outbreaks have been reported.
The proposal has divided opinion across the country, with critics questioning why Kenya should serve as a quarantine destination for foreign nationals exposed to a deadly disease when the United States possesses some of the world’s most advanced medical infrastructure.
Residents of Laikipia, local leaders, and civil society organizations have expressed fears about the potential risks associated with the facility, despite assurances from the government that strict international safety protocols would be observed.
The controversy intensified after demonstrations erupted in Nanyuki, with residents taking to the streets to protest the proposed centre.
Protesters argued that Kenya currently has no confirmed Ebola cases and should not be turned into a quarantine hub for foreign citizens.
The matter has also found its way to court.
The High Court recently suspended the project pending the disclosure of key documents, including agreements between Kenya and the United States, biosafety assessments, and operational protocols.
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The petition was filed by rights groups and legal organizations seeking greater transparency on the project.
President William Ruto has, however, defended the facility, saying Kenya’s partnership with the United States has historically benefited the country’s health sector through support for HIV/AIDS programmes, disease surveillance, and emergency response initiatives.
According to the government, the facility is part of a broader preparedness strategy aimed at strengthening Kenya’s ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks while also supporting regional health security efforts.
However, opponents remain unconvinced. Many argue that Kenya’s healthcare system still faces pressing local challenges that require urgent attention and resources.
Others have raised concerns about sovereignty, public participation, and whether Kenyans were adequately consulted before the agreement was reached.
The debate comes against the backdrop of renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting countries across East Africa to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures.
As the legal battle continues and public scrutiny intensifies, the senator’s proposal to relocate the facility closer to State House has added a new political dimension to an already contentious national conversation.
Whether the project proceeds as planned will likely depend on the outcome of ongoing court proceedings and the government’s ability to convince Kenyans that the facility poses no threat to public safety.
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