A massive political rebellion is exploding in Laikipia County after Senator John Kinyua joined Governor Joshua Irungu in a united front to fiercely block a national government plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki town.

In a statement released on Friday, May 29, 2026, via his official Facebook account, Senator Kinyua accused the national government of “playing ping-pong” with Kenyan lives, going so far as to claim the state is exposing its own citizens to a deadly pathogen “in exchange for a penny”.

Senator Kinyua did not hold back his fury over revelations that the state intended to set up an isolation unit in Nanyuki to cater to foreign nationals and aid workers exposed to the deadly virus abroad.

“It has come to my attention, with deep concern and growing anxiety among the people of Laikipia County, reports regarding the proposed establishment of an Ebola Quarantine Facility in Nanyuki for citizens from other countries miles away,” Kinyua stated.

“From the outset, this is not acceptable. We reject. Laikipia County, and Kenya, is not a dumping site for death. Other countries have said even their citizens will not get back to their nations with Ebola, but Kenya is willing to accept foreigners with Ebola?”

The Senator issued a stark, rallying cry to the nation, warning that ordinary citizens have been abandoned by leadership at the national level:

“What kind of leaders do we have in Kenya? You cannot protect your citizens? Kenyans, wake up! We are on our own. Instead of closing our borders and altering travels with affected nations, we are telling them, bring it to us!” he added.

Total county lockout

The combined resistance of both the Governor and the Senator effectively places Laikipia County on a total lockdown against the project.

While Governor Irungu earlier anchored his rejection on the fact that health is a devolved constitutional function, Senator Kinyua has focused heavily on the immediate socioeconomic and physical dangers to Nanyuki.

Kinyua pointed out that Nanyuki is a densely populated, economically strategic hub, and introducing a lethal virus like Ebola poses severe risks, including public health disasters, economic collapse, and psychological distress.

Refusing to leave any room for negotiation, the Senator blasted the Ministry of Health for bypassing the local community.

“With or without full public participation, transparent consultations, scientific assurances, and an absolute guarantee of public safety, we reject this Ebola,” Kinyua wrote.

“Are Kenyans and more so people of Laikipia lesser human beings? The Ministry of Health must immediately cease and desist, to halt and suspend any plans relating to this proposed establishment. There are no two ways about this. Stop it!”

United front formed

The entry of Senator Kinyua into the fray solidifies a formidable wall of resistance.

Governor Irungu had previously rallied local residents by stating that Laikipia is currently 100% free of any Ebola signs and symptoms, making the introduction of a quarantine centre an unnecessary danger.

With both the executive and legislative arms of the county government in absolute agreement, local leaders are preparing to escalate the matter directly to the national government.

US Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya

The planned centre at the Laikipia Air Base is part of an aggressive, controversial strategy by the Trump administration to completely keep Ebola cases off U.S. territory. Under the plan, exposed or asymptomatic Americans in East and Central Africa would be diverted to Nanyuki rather than flown back to the U.S.

While the State Department pledged $13.5 million to Kenya for Ebola preparedness following a high-level call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President William Ruto, local county chiefs are up in arms over being bypassed.