Laikipia Lawmakers Object to Planned Ebola Facility Despite Government Assurances of No Cases

A controversy has developed regarding plans for an Ebola quarantine and treatment center in Laikipia County.
Local parliamentary representatives are seeking clarification from the national government while health officials maintain that Kenya has no confirmed Ebola cases.
The objection from Laikipia officials occurs as the Ministry of Health enhances readiness measures in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), causing increased regional anxiety.
In a collective declaration, Laikipia MPs headed by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri challenged the reasoning for situating an Ebola facility in their region and criticized the government for not providing adequate information to the public.
“Our collective conscience is deeply troubled by reports that the Government of Kenya intends to establish an Ebola Quarantine and Treatment Facility in Laikipia County,” the representatives stated.
The legislators called for greater openness, posing several questions to the government, including: “Why is the Government not completely revealing its intentions?” and “Why Laikipia?”
They further questioned why such a facility would not be established nearer to the outbreak’s origin in the DRC.
“In our opinion, and as the representatives of the great people of Laikipia County, we find no logic in Kenya and Laikipia County hosting such a facility,” the declaration noted.
The representatives asserted that “the people of Laikipia and Kenya as a whole deserve complete transparency from the National Government on this issue” and emphasized that resident safety “must and should remain the top priority.”
However, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni attempted to alleviate concerns, assuring Kenyans that the country remains free of Ebola despite increased monitoring.
Speaking in Nyandarua County, Muthoni disclosed that 14 potential Ebola cases had been detected and examined nationwide, but all specimens yielded negative outcomes.
“There are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Kenya,” she stated, adding that health authorities remain on high alert.
The PS mentioned that the Ministry of Health had reinforced screening at border entry points and was improving isolation facilities as part of its readiness approach.
“We are reinforcing isolation centers and enhancing border screening measures to ensure the country remains prepared in case of any potential outbreak,” Muthoni explained.
She also commended Community Health Promoters for their involvement in disease surveillance and early identification of suspected illnesses at the local level.
“Their work continues to play a significant role in disease surveillance, public health awareness and early reporting of suspected illnesses,” she mentioned, while promising continued government backing and funding.
The contradictory statements are likely to intensify public discussion about the government’s Ebola preparedness plans, with pressure now growing on the Ministry of Health to confirm whether a dedicated quarantine or treatment facility is actually planned for Laikipia and, if so, why the county was chosen.