NAIROBI, Kenya— The political storm surrounding the proposed US-backed Ebola facility in Laikipia County intensified on Wednesday after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua claimed the project is part of a scheme aimed at harming communities in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with DCP party aspirants from Meru County, Gachagua questioned the government’s decision to allow the establishment of an Ebola exposure and quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
The former Deputy President argued that the Ebola virus poses a significant public health risk and should not be brought into Kenya under any circumstances.
Gachagua alleges threat to Mt Kenya communities
Gachagua claimed residents of Meru, Laikipia and the wider Mt Kenya region had reason to be concerned about the proposed facility.
“We have every reason to believe that this Ebola centre is a strategic plan by William Ruto to wipe out the Mt Kenya community and, more so, the people of Meru and Laikipia,” Gachagua said.
He further argued that if the virus is considered too dangerous to be handled in the United States, Kenya should not be expected to host exposed individuals.
“The American government has said that its citizens shouldn’t be taken to their home because of the danger and risk of that virus spreading and affecting a huge population,” he stated.
Referring to concerns surrounding Ebola outbreaks, Gachagua added that the disease remained a serious threat to public health.
“This Ebola, we’ve been told by the World Health Organisation, has no vaccine and is likely to kill 50 pc of those who have been affected. Bringing it to the mountain is an existential threat to the lives of our people,” he said.
The DCP leader also criticised elected leaders from Meru County, accusing them of remaining silent on an issue he described as a major threat to residents.
“We don’t want this Ebola centre anywhere in Kenya. Let the Americans take it to America or another country,” he added.
Ruto insists project is the right decision
Gachagua’s remarks come days after William Ruto publicly defended the proposed project during a state visit to South Africa.
The President maintained that accepting the US-funded facility was both responsible and humanitarian, particularly in the context of regional disease preparedness.
“I can tell you without fear of any contradiction, and I can look at everybody in the eye and tell you we are doing the right thing,” Ruto said.
“It would be the most unfortunate if, on one request by the Americans to set up a facility at their cost, we would refuse. We would look very inhuman,” he added.
The United States has committed approximately Sh1.7 billion toward strengthening Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response capabilities under the proposed arrangement.
Court battle continues over facility
The controversy has also moved to the courts.
Last week, the High Court issued conservatory orders temporarily suspending the establishment and operationalisation of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya under arrangements involving the United States or any other foreign government.
The orders followed a petition filed by Katiba Institute challenging the proposed arrangement.
Notably, the court certified the application as urgent and granted interim conservatory orders restraining the respondents from establishing, operationalising, approving or facilitating any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya pending the hearing of the case.
The court further barred government agencies and officials from admitting into, transferring to, receiving within, or facilitating the entry into Kenya of any persons exposed to or infected with Ebola pursuant to the contested arrangement.
In a further development, the High Court directed the government to disclose agreements, negotiations, approvals, risk assessments and operational protocols relating to the proposed facility in Nanyuki.
As legal proceedings continue, the debate over the project is increasingly taking on political dimensions, with supporters viewing it as a public health preparedness initiative and critics raising concerns about transparency, safety and the implications of hosting Ebola-related operations in Kenya. The court’s eventual determination is expected to play a critical role in deciding whether the project proceeds.
