Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said the lives of Kenyans ‘are not bargaining chips’, as he stepped up criticism of government decisions and warned against any move that could expose citizens to avoidable risk in the ongoing debate over a proposed Ebola quarantine facility linked to Laikipia.

The remarks were posted on his X account on Sunday, May 31, 2026, after a church service in Nairobi where Kalonzo joined mourners in honouring Rev. Dr Mathews Kalola Mwalwa, a cleric he described as a servant of humility and public duty.

Kalonzo used the moment to reflect on leadership and governance, saying the country was drifting away from accountability and public service.

“Moments like these force us to reflect, not just on the lives we celebrate but also on the kind of nation we are becoming,” he said. “Because leadership, in its truest form, is service to the people.”

He warned that Kenya was facing rising public frustration driven by what he described as impunity, misuse of public resources and rising taxes without accountability.

“A nation where impunity is growing, where public resources are diverted while citizens struggle, and where taxes continue to rise without accountability,” he said. “Kenyans are doing their part, but those entrusted with leadership are falling short. That must change.”

The strongest part of his message focused on the proposed Ebola quarantine facility, which has triggered political debate, court action and public concern over Kenya’s preparedness and consent processes.

Kalonzo said his position and that of his political alliance was that Kenya must not accept any arrangement that puts citizens at risk or bypasses public will.

“On the issue of the proposed Ebola Quarantine Facility, our position as the United Alternative Government is clear. We must put Kenya first,” he said.

“The lives of our people are not a bargaining chip. We must respect the will of Kenyans and ensure that no decision exposes them to unnecessary risk.”

He added that his side would engage external partners directly on the matter.

“In the course of this week, we will meet with senior US officials to firmly communicate this position,” he said.

Tax misuse concerns raised

Kalonzo also tied the debate to broader concerns about governance, saying public funds were being mismanaged while ordinary citizens struggled with the cost of living.

“Your taxes have gone to a select few wallets to bankroll their nice collection of watches and designer suits,” he said during his church address. “Your taxes have gone to people who willfully and illegally requisitioned your land, converting your free titles to leasehold at a stroke of a corrupt pen.”

He said such practices had weakened trust between citizens and the state, and insisted that leadership must return to integrity and service.

The remarks came during a service held in honour of Rev. Mwalwa, where Kalonzo also linked his message to moral reflection, saying the church must continue speaking truth to power.

“The church must remain bold enough to speak truth to power,” he said. “Leadership must return to integrity, accountability, and service to the people.”

His comments on Ebola reflect a wider political dispute that has drawn in other senior leaders, health officials and county governments.

Opposition leaders reject plan

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua separately said he initially dismissed reports of the Laikipia facility as “fake news” and only confirmed them after his son, a medical doctor, told him it was true.

“I actually thought it was fake news. I thought it was AI,” Gachagua said during a church service at AIC Karen on May 31, 2026.

He argued that Kenya should not accept arrangements that expose it to risks other countries avoid.

“It cannot be that Kenya; we are so good, we are so magnanimous, that we are willing to take the risk the United States is not willing to take,” he said.

Opposition leader Martha Karua has also criticised the proposal, saying the government must prioritise Kenyan citizens.

“Protect Kenyans first,” she said. “Wenye nchi must be first to be protected.”

Karua argued that Kenya should not host Ebola-exposed foreign nationals while its health system continues to struggle with shortages and weak preparedness.

“Kenyans are paying more for healthcare than ever before, yet receiving less,” she said.

The debate has split opinion among political leaders and health professionals. Some county leaders and medical unions have raised concerns over preparedness levels, while the Ministry of Health has maintained that Kenya remains on high alert and is strengthening surveillance and isolation capacity.

The High Court has also issued conservatory orders temporarily stopping the establishment of the facility pending the determination of a petition, adding a legal dimension to the political dispute.