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.
