Saturday 30th May, 2026 11:35 PM|
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended the government’s decision to establish a health facility in Laikipia in partnership with the United States, dismissing claims that it is being set up solely to host Americans exposed to Ebola.
This comes amid heightened vigilance across the region following Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring countries, with the Ministry of Health maintaining that Kenya has not recorded any confirmed cases of the disease.
In an interview on a local TV station on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Duale said the planned facility is a military installation that will serve both Kenyan and American nationals, particularly personnel operating in high-risk regions, and forms part of Kenya’s broader preparedness strategy against infectious disease outbreaks.
The CS sought to address growing concerns and speculation surrounding the project, insisting that the facility is intended to strengthen Kenya’s public health security and not to import Ebola patients into the country.
“In DRC, where the epicentre of Ebola is, I had an opportunity to visit there when I was Defence CS. Over 350 KDF soldiers are working for the UN today. We have a huge population of Kenyans working in DRC,” Duale stated.
“Why is it said we’re bringing Ebola patients to Laikipia? The facility is a military facility. KDF soldiers and other Kenyans will use that facility.”
The CS noted that Kenya’s participation in global health security initiatives requires the country to maintain robust preparedness systems capable of responding to infectious disease threats affecting both citizens and international partners.
He also defended Kenya’s longstanding health partnership with the United States, noting that American support has played a significant role in strengthening the country’s healthcare system over the years.
“If there’s one country that has contributed between 25 and 35 per cent of the health budget since independence, it is the US. That’s why today, the cooperation agreement we’ve signed is worth Ksh206 billion,” he said.
Duale added that institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) have benefited significantly from international partnerships, helping Kenya build some of the region’s strongest laboratory and disease surveillance systems.
Emergency response teams
According to Duale, the Laikipia facility is one of several isolation and treatment centres being established as part of the government’s Ebola preparedness plan.
He noted that the location was selected partly because it is situated far from densely populated communities, making it suitable for isolation and emergency response operations if needed.
“Kenya is part of the global health security system, and we’re one of the countries with the best healthcare systems in terms of laboratories and surveillance,” he remarked.
Duale revealed that the government has already established an Incident Management Centre and an Emergency Response Centre in Nairobi to coordinate preparedness efforts.
He further disclosed that more than 1,000 healthcare workers have been trained on Ebola preparedness and response protocols as authorities continue to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and manage potential cases.
“There is nothing shrouded about this Ebola quarantine process. We are putting in place 11 quarantine, isolation and treatment centres across the country as a safety measure just in case we get affected. It is our duty to ensure Kenyans are protected,” he said.
