NAIROBI, Kenya- Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has questioned reports of a proposed United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, raising concerns over the country’s preparedness to handle highly infectious diseases and warning against politicising public health matters.
In a statement on Thursday, the Kiambu senator criticised what he termed as attempts to turn Kenya into a quarantine ground for dangerous diseases while the country continues to struggle with challenges in its own healthcare system.
“The Ebola saga. William Ruto is trying so hard to engineer a countrywide lockdown,” Thang’wa claimed.
The senator alleged that the government could use fear surrounding disease outbreaks to tighten control and create a national crisis, though he did not provide evidence to support the claims.
“This is part of Ruto’s strategy: induce fear, create a crisis, and possibly use it as an excuse to postpone elections, while at the same time targeting our region to host quarantine facilities,” he stated.
Thang’wa also questioned why Kenya should host a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola yet local hospitals continue facing shortages, understaffing and operational challenges.
“Why should Kenya allow America to use our soil as a quarantine ground for some of the world’s deadliest diseases, yet our health sector remains one of the most disorganized, underprepared, and unresponsive?” he posed.
“If we cannot fully handle our existing healthcare challenges, why expose Kenyans to even greater risk?” he added.
His remarks come amid international reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering setting up an Ebola quarantine facility in central Kenya for Americans exposed to the virus during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Reuters reported that discussions were ongoing, although Kenyan authorities had not formally approved the proposal.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has since confirmed talks with the United States and other partners regarding Ebola preparedness, but insisted that any cooperation would strictly follow Kenyan laws and public health regulations.
Health experts have meanwhile urged leaders to avoid spreading panic and misinformation about Ebola, warning that public fear during outbreaks can undermine preparedness and response efforts.
