Health 2 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kenya's President Defends Planned US-Backed Ebola Quarantine Facility
Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the establishment of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at a military air base, emphasizing it's part of national preparedness and a long-standing health partnership with the United States. His remarks come amidst local protests and legal challenges to the facility. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/kenya-s-president-defends-planned-u-s-backed-ebola-quarantine-facility-5481988
Kenyan President William Ruto has publicly defended the decision to establish a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base. The move, intended to house Americans potentially exposed to the virus, has faced opposition from local residents and legal action.
Ruto stated that the facility is not unique and aligns with existing health preparedness measures across Kenya, citing a robust partnership with the U.S. on health initiatives spanning decades, including responses to HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.
His comments follow protests in Nanyuki, near the military base, where residents expressed fears of community exposure and questioned Kenya’s role in hosting a quarantine center for U.S. citizens. A lawsuit has also been filed seeking to halt the project.
The president highlighted that Kenya has already established isolation, surveillance, and treatment facilities in 23 counties. He asserted that the new facility would serve both Kenyan citizens and international partners, including Americans, should the need arise. Ruto dismissed criticisms, framing the facility as a necessary component of Kenya’s duty to prepare for potential Ebola cases, including among its citizens serving abroad.
Despite a recent court order temporarily suspending the plan due to public health concerns, Ruto did not directly address the legal challenge. He emphasized Kenya’s stringent border screening measures, with approximately 3,000 individuals being screened daily, and confirmed that no Ebola cases have been detected within the country.
“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” President Ruto assured the public, referencing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.