NAIROBI, Kenya — The County Government of Laikipia County has formally opposed plans to establish an Ebola Quarantine and Isolation Facility within the county, arguing that the project raises significant concerns relating to public health, tourism, governance, and the welfare of children.
In a replying affidavit filed before the High Court, Laikipia County Executive Committee Member for Health, Albert Taiti, said the county supports national efforts to strengthen preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks but has reservations about the proposed facility and the process leading to its establishment.
County questions consultation process
According to the affidavit, the proposed facility would be located within Laikipia County and would directly affect residents, public institutions, emergency response systems, and county governance structures.
Taiti argues that decisions involving high-risk infectious diseases such as Ebola should be guided by transparency, scientific assessment, stakeholder engagement, and strict adherence to constitutional requirements.
“The 4th Interested Party fully appreciates the primacy of national public health preparedness measures aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies,” Taiti states in the court documents.
However, the county contends that it was not meaningfully consulted during site selection, risk assessment, contingency planning, or emergency response coordination.
According to the affidavit, this omission undermines the principles of cooperative governance and devolution established under the Constitution.
“The absence of meaningful consultation undermines the principles of cooperative governance and devolution as entrenched in the Constitution,” Taiti argues.
Health preparedness concerns
The county government maintains that Laikipia already faces resource constraints in financing community health services and may lack sufficient capacity to respond to a major infectious disease outbreak should an emergency occur.
It argues that the facility raises questions regarding pathogen containment, emergency preparedness, and the protection of residents’ right to the highest attainable standard of health as guaranteed under Article 43 of the Constitution.
The county is also seeking greater transparency regarding the scientific criteria used to identify the site and the safeguards intended to mitigate public health risks.
Tourism sector fears economic impact
A major concern raised in the affidavit relates to the potential impact on tourism, one of Laikipia’s key economic sectors.
Taiti notes that Nanyuki, located approximately eight kilometres from the proposed site at Laikipia Air Base, serves as an important tourism and commercial centre.
The county further points to renowned attractions such as Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Ol Jogi Conservancy, and Mount Kenya National Park as critical contributors to the local economy.
According to the affidavit, some hospitality establishments have already reported booking cancellations following reports about the proposed Ebola facility.
The county warns that a decline in tourism could lead to job losses and negatively affect thousands of residents who depend on the sector for income.
Child safety concerns raised
Laikipia County has also questioned the suitability of locating the facility within the Kenya Air Force Base in Nanyuki, where both Laikipia Airbase Primary School and Laikipia Airbase Junior School operate.
The schools serve children of military personnel as well as civilians from neighbouring communities.
According to Taiti, no adequate information has been provided to demonstrate that child impact assessments, school safety evaluations, emergency evacuation plans, or child-specific risk management measures were conducted before the site was selected.
“Article 53(2) of the Constitution requires that the best interests of the child shall be of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child,” the affidavit states.
Call for judicial scrutiny
The county further argues that residents have not received sufficient information regarding the proposed facility, including the scientific basis for site selection, long-term public health safeguards, and risk mitigation measures.
Laikipia is urging the High Court to subject the project to thorough judicial scrutiny and ensure compliance with constitutional requirements relating to public participation, intergovernmental consultation, public health safeguards, and the precautionary principle.
Taiti maintains that the interests of schoolchildren, residents, and the wider county must be fully safeguarded before any final decision is made regarding the proposed Ebola Quarantine and Isolation Facility.
