Orwoba calls for Duale and officials to move offices to quarantine centres in protest
By Sharon Atieno, May 29, 2026Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has intensified debate on Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and international health arrangements, calling on Kenyans to demand that senior government officials involved in approving such policies relocate their offices to quarantine centres as a matter of accountability.
Speaking during an interview with a local station on Friday, May 29, 2026, Orwoba said decisions that expose the country to potential health risks should not be taken lightly, insisting that those endorsing such arrangements must also be willing to operate under the same conditions.
“I want Kenyans to demand that the Cabinet Secretary for Health, together with the whole leadership who append their signatures to this kind of arrangement, move their offices to the quarantine centres,” she stated.
She argued that accountability in leadership should go beyond signatures on policy documents, warning that policies with public health implications must be tested through lived responsibility by those approving them.
Orwoba further questioned why Kenyan health workers, security personnel and citizens should be exposed to risk while leaders remain distant from the consequences of their decisions.
“Let them work from there and if they can’t work from those centres let them say why. If there are risks, why do they want to put our doctors, security personnel and our country into risks?” she posed.
Duale defends Ebola preparedness measures
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has, however, defended the government’s preparedness framework, saying Kenya is actively strengthening its response systems amid regional Ebola concerns and international cooperation discussions.
Duale said Kenya has activated emergency coordination systems, intensified surveillance at points of entry, and expanded laboratory testing capacity as part of national preparedness.
He noted that over 55,000 travellers have already been screened, with all tested suspected cases returning negative results.
US quarantine reports fuel public debate
The remarks come amid reports suggesting that the United States could consider sending Ebola-exposed individuals to Kenya for monitoring and treatment, a move that has sparked public debate and concern from health experts and legal professionals.
Critics argue that any such arrangement must be guided by strict biosafety standards and transparency, while the government maintains that all decisions will prioritise the safety of Kenyan citizens and health workers.
The unfolding debate continues to place leadership accountability and public health safety at the centre of national discussion.