Karua questions govt risk policy as criticism mounts on Ebola facility
By Emmanuel Rono, June 3, 2026People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has raised concerns over the government’s handling of public health decision-making, questioning whether proper procedures are being followed in matters that could affect millions of Kenyans.
Taking to her X account on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Karua drew comparisons between Kenya’s approach and that of other countries, particularly the United States, over Ebola-related risk assessments.
“If Ebola is considered too dangerous for Americans, why should Kenyans accept that risk?” she posed.
Insufficient consultation
Karua also criticised what she described as unilateral decision-making by the Executive, indirectly referencing President William Ruto, accusing him of making far-reaching decisions without sufficient consultation from the public.
“Why is Ruto making decisions that affect the health and safety of millions of Kenyans as if he’s running his own Sugoi farm? Major decisions must follow due process, involve public participation, and be subjected to parliamentary oversight,” Karua stated.
U.S defending Ebola facility in Kenya
Her sentiments come even as the United States explained why Kenya was selected as the preferred location for a proposed Ebola quarantine facility, citing the country’s strategic position near regional disease outbreak zones and its existing international partnerships.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, President Donald Trump’s Administrator of the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, said Kenya’s proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola outbreaks have previously occurred, makes it an ideal location for rapid medical response.
“The main issue with having a facility close to DRC is if a patient is sick, I want to take the patient to the OR that is right next door to the room they are sick in, not the building next to them or three buildings two blocks away because time is precious,” he said.
Protest at the facility
The explanation comes amid growing public opposition to the proposed facility, particularly in Laikipia County, where concerns over safety and the risks associated with hosting an Ebola-related centre have sparked demonstrations that have already resulted in two deaths.
In a press release on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the KMPDU Secretary General, Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah, demanded answers on why Kenya was selected over neighbouring countries.
“As the vanguard of Kenya’s healthcare system, we are utterly disgusted by the government’s apparent willingness to trade national biosecurity and the lives of its citizens for foreign aid. We will not sit back and watch Kenya be treated as a containment colony for a lethal pathogen that we did not generate,” KMPDU stated.
A section of activists led by Ojilo Odhiambo and Julius Kamau 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.