A section of activists staged protests outside Afya House in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, opposing the government’s plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya.

Led by activists Ojilo Odhiambo and Julius Kamau, the activists marched outside Afya House in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 1, 2026, arguing that the proposed facility could expose Kenyans to the risk of contracting the deadly Ebola virus and should not be allowed to proceed.

Speaking during the demonstration, Ojilo vowed to oppose what he described as attempts by President William Ruto’s administration to establish a quarantine centre in the country.

“We are going to resist every step and mechanism by William Ruto to establish a quarantine centre in Kenya,” Ojilo said.

The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans as they marched outside the Ministry of Health headquarters at Afya House, demanding that the government abandon the plan.

The activists expressed concerns over reports linking Kenya’s Ebola preparedness measures to international health cooperation arrangements, insisting that the country should not become a destination for handling Ebola patients from other nations.

They maintained that the establishment of such a facility would put the lives of ordinary Kenyans at risk and called on the government to prioritise strengthening local healthcare services instead.

The protests come amid heightened public debate over Kenya’s Ebola preparedness plans. The government has repeatedly maintained that the country’s Ebola treatment and quarantine facilities are part of national emergency preparedness efforts aimed at protecting both Kenyans and visitors in the event of an outbreak.

Nanyuki residents stage protests

The move by the activists to demonstrate comes after residents from Nanyuki on Monday, June 1, 2026, took to the streets protesting against the establishment of the facility in Laikipia Airbase, Nanyuki. The protesters argued that the government did not engage them before arriving at the decision.

The residents have strongly opposed plans to establish a proposed Ebola quarantine facility in the town, insisting it poses a direct risk to the local community. The opposition against the establishment of the facility has grown amid political debate, a court case, and rising tensions in Laikipia County.

Speaking during protests, a resident, Martin Ndegwa, said the community would not accept the project under any circumstances.

“And we are here to categorically say hell no to an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki. It is right at our doorstep. It is right in town,” he said.

He questioned the logic of hosting such a facility in Kenya while the disease is mainly reported elsewhere.