NAIROBI, Kenya — Church leaders have urged the government to abandon plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, arguing that the move raises serious public health concerns and should not proceed without broad public participation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Church and Clergy Association of Kenya (CCAK) welcomed a recent court ruling that temporarily halted the proposed facility, describing the decision as a victory for Kenyans concerned about the potential risks associated with the deadly virus.
The association, led by chairman Bishop Hudson Ndeda, questioned the government’s decision to approve a facility intended to accommodate American citizens exposed to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The church is concerned that the government was planning to open a quarantine facility in Kenya for Ebola patients who are American citizens without the direct involvement and participation of Kenyans,” the association said.
CCAK argued that any decision involving a highly infectious disease such as Ebola must be subjected to extensive stakeholder engagement and public scrutiny before implementation.
“Ebola is a deadly disease that has the potential of harming Kenyans hence such decisions must be arrived at transparently,” the statement said.
“It is clear that Kenyans have rejected this idea hence the government must ensure that this facility is not set up in our country regardless of which country imposes on us.”
The controversy follows reports that Kenya approved a request by the United States to establish a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola in the DRC. The US government has reportedly committed $13.5 million (about Sh1.7 billion) to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.
The issue has also attracted parliamentary scrutiny.
The National Assembly Health Committee has summoned Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to appear before lawmakers and provide a detailed briefing on the matter.
In a letter to the ministry, the committee chaired by James Nyikal directed Duale to appear on Tuesday to explain the government’s preparedness measures, the details of any agreement with the United States, and the safeguards in place to manage potential Ebola-related risks.
“The purpose of this letter is to invite you to a meeting with the committee to provide a comprehensive briefing on Kenya’s preparedness to manage the virus, details regarding the aforementioned agreement, if any, with the United States government,” the committee said.
“The committee considers the matter as urgent given its potential implications on the lives of the citizens.”
Beyond the Ebola debate, church leaders also criticised the recent National Prayer Breakfast, accusing politicians of dominating an event they believe should primarily be led by religious leaders.
According to the clergy, the growing prominence of political leaders during national prayer events risks undermining the spiritual purpose of such gatherings.
“A national prayer day was done on May 28 at Safari Park Hotel and it was clearly not led by the clergy in this country,” Ndeda said.
“We wish to remind the President and the parliamentarians that a national prayer day has to be inclusive. Politicians cannot take upon themselves the role of the clergy especially at this time when the country is at crossroads.”
The association called for future prayer gatherings to be more inclusive and to give religious leaders a central role in guiding national prayers.
Ndeda urged political leaders to respect the role of the church and ensure all denominations are adequately represented in future events.
The remarks add to growing public debate over both Kenya’s preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks and the relationship between religious institutions and political leadership in national affairs.
