Ruto Breaks Silence on Controversial US-Backed Ebola Facility as Protests Erupt in Laikipia
President William Ruto has strongly defended the planned US-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia, dismissing growing public concerns and insisting the project is critical to Kenya’s preparedness against potential disease outbreaks.
Speaking during a media interview in Wajir County following the 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations, President Ruto revealed that he personally approved the establishment of the facility at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Laikipia Air Base after a request from US President Donald Trump.
The Head of State described the project as part of a long-standing health partnership between Kenya and the United States, arguing that the country’s decision was based on decades of cooperation in combating infectious diseases.
“When President Trump asked the Government of Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have walked with Kenya,” Ruto said.
“For 30 or 40 years, the American government has supported us. They have deployed huge resources in Kenya to work with us on HIV/AIDS and many other diseases.”
The President rejected claims that the proposed facility would introduce new health risks to Kenya, noting that similar Ebola preparedness and treatment centres already exist across the country.
According to Ruto, at least 23 Ebola preparedness facilities are operational in Kenya, including units at Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, and Alupe Hospital in Busia.
He argued that the Laikipia facility was simply another addition to Kenya’s disease surveillance and response infrastructure.
Ruto Questions Critics
In a direct response to opponents of the project, Ruto questioned whether critics were suggesting that Kenya should remain unprepared in the face of a potential Ebola outbreak.
The President pointed to the country’s close links with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola outbreaks have periodically occurred, noting that thousands of Kenyans live and work in the neighbouring country.
Kenya also has security personnel serving in regional peacekeeping and security missions in the DRC.
“We have security people serving in the Congo DRC. We have thousands upon thousands of Kenyans in DRC,” Ruto said.
“If, for whatever reason, they were to become victims of Ebola, we would have a responsibility as a country to treat them. We would have a responsibility to our citizens to make sure that we take care of them.”
The President further revealed that Kenyan authorities continue to screen approximately 3,000 travellers every day at various entry points into the country, with no confirmed Ebola cases reported so far.
He said surveillance, quarantine and isolation measures have already been activated at border crossings and airports as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.
KEMRI Race for Ebola Vaccine
Ruto also disclosed that researchers at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) are actively participating in global efforts to develop vaccines and medical interventions against Ebola.
According to the President, Kenya’s investment in preparedness is aimed at ensuring the country is not caught off guard should the virus spread beyond currently affected regions.
Drawing comparisons with the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruto recalled how a specialised treatment facility established at the United Nations complex in Nairobi helped manage international patients during the height of the global health crisis in 2020.
KSh200 Billion Health Deal with US
The President further linked Kenya’s support for the project to a broader health cooperation agreement signed with the United States last year.
He revealed that the two countries entered into a KSh200 billion health cooperation framework designed to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance systems and emergency response capabilities over the coming years.
According to Ruto, the Ebola facility forms part of the wider partnership and should be viewed within the context of strengthening national health security.
Protests Rock Nanyuki
Ruto’s remarks come amid mounting opposition to the project from residents and activists in Laikipia County.
On June 1, large-scale demonstrations broke out in Nanyuki town, bringing business activities to a standstill as protesters opposed plans to establish the 50-bed quarantine facility at the KDF airbase.
Demonstrators voiced fears that the facility could expose nearby communities to infection risks in the event of an Ebola outbreak.
Others accused the government of failing to adequately consult local residents before approving the project and questioned why Kenya should shoulder health risks associated with foreign nationals.
Business owners and tourism stakeholders also warned that fears surrounding the facility could damage Laikipia’s reputation as a tourism destination, potentially leading to booking cancellations and loss of income.
Court Halts Project
The controversy has now moved to the courts.
Last week, the High Court issued temporary orders suspending implementation of the project following a petition filed by the Katiba Institute and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
The petitioners argue that the government failed to conduct adequate public participation and risk assessments before approving the facility.
They have also raised concerns about Kenya’s healthcare capacity to safely manage a major Ebola outbreak, particularly as neighbouring countries continue to grapple with cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The court orders remain in force pending further hearings, setting the stage for a legal battle that could determine the future of one of the most controversial health projects currently facing the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Also Read: Registrar Dissolves 501 Companies, Gives 370 More 90 Days to Avoid Deregistration