Kenyan Doctors Demand Transparency on US Ebola Facility Amid Preparedness Concerns

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has expressed serious doubts about Kenya’s capacity to manage a potential Ebola outbreak, insisting on complete transparency regarding a planned US-sponsored Ebola isolation center.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah revealed that his organization discovered the planned isolation center through information from the US government, calling it regrettable particularly for Kenyan medical personnel. Addressing media representatives on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Dr. Atellah challenged the administration’s dedication to safeguarding both the public and healthcare workers. “At the healthcare delivery level, medical staff readiness and frontline security are lacking. Personnel numbers are inadequate, and availability of specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is unreliable,” he stated.
He identified significant deficiencies such as unsecured border points, limited isolation capabilities, critical ICU bed deficits in all 47 counties, ineffective cross-border monitoring, and inadequate screening at entry locations.
Dr. Atellah emphasized that safeguarding Kenyan lives should be the foremost concern and urged the government to offer clear explanations on intensive care capacity, medical staff preparedness, emergency supplies, and the national response strategy.”Past experience demonstrates that inadequate preparation, rather than the infectious agent itself, transforms health emergencies into national disasters,” he cautioned.
KMPDU now insists on complete disclosure about the US Ebola agreement and a thorough strategy to secure Kenyan healthcare workers should the facility be established.