People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of placing foreign interests above the safety of Kenyans, following reports that Kenya is involved in discussions with the United States over a possible Ebola quarantine arrangement.

Karua said the government cannot justify hosting Ebola-exposed foreign nationals when the country’s health system is already under strain.

“Protect Kenyans first,” she said. “Wenye nchi must be first to be protected, especially now when our health system has been ravaged by Kenya Kwanza’s reckless management of healthcare.”

Her statement on May 30, 2026, comes amid public concern over reports that the United States had explored using Kenya as a location to monitor or quarantine its citizens exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The US Department of State has since confirmed that it is aware of a legal challenge in Kenya over the proposed facility and said it remains in contact with Kenyan authorities as discussions continue.

Karua said the issue goes beyond the proposed facility and reflects deeper problems in Kenya’s health system, including staffing shortages, medicine gaps, and weak emergency readiness.

“Their policy is to protect Americans first; how dare they entertain the idea that they can bring Ebola affected people to Kenya to protect America, but endanger the Kenyan people?” she said.

Karua questions govt preparedness

She also questioned the government’s preparedness to respond to a highly infectious disease while hospitals continue to struggle with basic supplies and staffing challenges.

Karua linked the current debate to wider reforms in the health sector, including the shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which she said has not improved service delivery for patients.

“Kenyans are paying more for healthcare than ever before, yet receiving less,” she said. “Even the Cabinet Secretary has admitted that graft has infiltrated the system.”

Her remarks follow recent comments by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale acknowledging corruption concerns within the health system, which Karua said raises questions about accountability and public trust.

“How can Kenyans be asked to trust this government with Ebola preparedness when it cannot account for resources already collected from wenye nchi?” she said.

KMPDU warns of system gaps

Karua backed concerns raised by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which has warned that Kenya may not be ready to manage an Ebola outbreak due to weak preparedness and limited ICU capacity.

KMPDU has said staffing levels remain low, protective equipment is inconsistent, and many counties lack enough intensive care beds to handle severe infectious diseases.

At a press briefing in Nairobi, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said Kenya must strengthen its response by focusing on the outbreak’s source in the Democratic Republic of Congo rather than shifting risk elsewhere.

“The best way of containment of any outbreak is through the epicentre; the point of the outbreak, like in Congo,” Atellah said.

He also called for more international support to help control the outbreak in eastern Congo, where conflict has complicated response efforts.

“We have seen the disease spreading at a very high rate in Congo, particularly because of the war that has been ongoing in that particular country,” he said.

Karua said the government must stop what she described as secrecy in health-related decisions and involve medical professionals and the public in planning.

She said any arrangement involving Ebola must be transparent and backed by strong health infrastructure.

“A nation that is not healthy cannot be prosperous,” she said. “Leadership is about protecting your people first. Wenye nchi must come first.”

Leaders reject Ebola plan

Political opposition has also grown across the country.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga rejected the proposed Ebola treatment and isolation facility in neighbouring Laikipia County, warning that it could expose residents due to close cross-border movement.

“The residents of Nyeri County are greatly concerned by the circulating media reports indicating plans to establish an Ebola treatment and isolation centre in the neighbouring Laikipia County,” Kahiga said. He added that any risk in Laikipia would directly affect Nyeri due to strong social and economic ties between the counties.

Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu has also opposed the plan, joining other local leaders calling for suspension and public consultation.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also rejected the proposal, saying Kenya should not accept Ebola patients from the region.

“We cannot support the president when he wants to bring Ebola to Kenya,” Khalwale said in Bungoma. He urged Parliament to block the arrangement and said neighbouring countries had already tightened borders due to the outbreak.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also dismissed the idea, saying Kenyans had not been consulted.

“We categorically reject any attempt by the government to establish an Ebola facility in our country without the explicit consent and confidence of the Kenyan people,” he said in a post on X.

The High Court in Nairobi has since issued conservatory orders temporarily blocking the government from admitting Ebola-infected persons or establishing any related quarantine facility under foreign arrangements, pending determination of a petition.

The United States government has acknowledged the court case and said it remains in contact with Kenyan authorities, expressing optimism that concerns will be resolved.

The Ministry of Health has maintained that Kenya remains on high alert and continues to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures at entry points.