Fear and tension continue to rise in Nanyuki town following reports of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, with local leaders and residents strongly opposing the move.

Residents say they fear for their safety and accuse the government of failing to involve the public before allegedly approving the facility.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, May 29, 2026, Laikipia County Deputy Speaker Anthony Theuri strongly condemned the proposal, arguing that the county is not prepared to handle such a dangerous disease.

“The government cannot risk the lives of our people like this,” said Theuri. “Laikipia does not even have a hospital fully equipped to handle Ebola cases. Why should such a facility be brought here?”

Theuri further claimed that residents have recently noticed suspicious aircraft movements around the area, something he said has increased panic among locals.

“People have been seeing suspicious aircraft around Nanyuki, and this has created fear among residents,” he said. “If these patients must be brought to Kenya, then let them be taken to State House or the U.S. Embassy, not to ordinary wananchi.”

His remarks drew strong reactions from residents who attended the press briefing, many expressing fears that the facility could expose nearby communities to danger.

Kenya’s Ebola preparedness

Bernard Njuguna, another resident who spoke during the briefing, questioned Kenya’s preparedness to host such a facility at a time when many countries are tightening restrictions over Ebola fears.

“Kenya is not ready for this kind of facility,” Njuguna said. “Other countries are becoming more cautious because of Ebola, yet here we are preparing to host exposed people.”

He also criticized the lack of public participation in the matter.

“How can such a sensitive decision be made without consulting the people living here?” he asked. “Residents deserved to be informed from the beginning.”

Ebola-linked facility

Another resident, Mwangi Wangai, questioned why Kenya appeared willing to accommodate an Ebola-linked facility while other nations continue strengthening border controls against the disease.

“When other countries are closing their boundaries because of Ebola fears, Kenya is setting up facilities for them,” Wangai said. “Are Kenyans more immune than the rest of the world?”

Amid the rising concerns, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has assured Kenyans that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the country, emphasizing that Kenya remains on high alert through strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures.

The CS stated that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the regional situation and maintaining strict screening and response systems to prevent any possible outbreak.

Despite this reassurance, residents in Nanyuki continue to express anxiety over the proposed quarantine facility, saying their concerns remain unresolved.

The debate has continued to grow across Laikipia County, with calls for transparency, public participation, and clearer communication from government authorities regarding the plan.