KMPDU to govt: Set up Ebola quarantine facility in DRC, not Kenya
By Aloys Michael, May 30, 2026The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has urged the government and regional partners to focus Ebola containment efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning against plans to establish an Ebola treatment and quarantine facility in Kenya.
Addressing the press on Saturday, May 30, 2026, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said the most effective way to stop the spread of the disease is to concentrate resources at the epicentre of the outbreak rather than setting up facilities in countries that have not reported cases.
“The best way of containment of any outbreak is through the epicentre; the point of the outbreak, like in Congo,” Atellah said.
He noted that ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has complicated efforts to control the disease, contributing to its continued spread.
“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. As such, we ask our government and the regional governments that there should be more resources and experts being sent to Congo to help the containment,” he said.
Atellah’s remarks come amid a heated debate over a proposed Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya, a plan that has attracted political opposition and legal challenges.
Even so, the Ministry of Health has expanded isolation and treatment capacity across the country as part of efforts to protect Kenyans from the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
Health officials say the new facilities form the backbone of national preparedness and aim to ensure rapid response if a case enters the country.
In a statement released on May 30, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya faces ongoing risk due to its role as a regional hub for trade and travel. He noted that reliance on border screening alone cannot prevent outbreaks from spreading.
“Protecting Kenyans requires more than hoping diseases do not cross our borders or relying solely on screening at points of entry,” the ministry statement read.
“It requires a comprehensive approach that combines effective surveillance and border screening with strong preparedness and response systems before a crisis emerges.”
The government confirmed that dedicated isolation and treatment units now operate at Kenyatta National Hospital, the Kenya National Police Hospital, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Additional sites exist in more than 10 high-risk border counties. Officials say the facilities allow rapid isolation, diagnosis, and coordinated response once any suspected case appears.
Health officials added that the system aims to reduce delays that often worsen outbreaks. The network also links laboratories, emergency teams, and supply chains to ensure quick action across counties.
But Atellah has said the porous borders and limited containment capacity could heighten the risk of rapid transmission should the virus enter the country.
He further pointed to gaps in health workforce preparedness, inadequate staffing levels, inconsistent access to specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), and limited intensive care unit capacity across counties.
“Above all else, the protection of Kenyan lives must come first. The government of Kenya must provide clear, detailed answers on critical care capacity, workforce readiness, emergency stockpiles, and the national preparedness framework,” he stated.