The United States has said that a bio-isolation facility in Laikipia poses no risk to nearby communities, as it moves to reassure the public and address a court case filed in Kenya over the project.

In a statement issued by the US Embassy Kenya on June 2, 2026, officials said they are working closely with the Kenyan government to resolve concerns and explain the purpose of the facility to the public.

“We are aware of the court action filed in Kenya and are actively working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections and communicate our shared objectives to the Kenyan people,” the embassy said.

The statement comes as Kenya and the United States expand cooperation in response to an Ebola outbreak in the region. The embassy said the two countries share a long-standing health partnership that has supported public health systems for decades.

“The United States and Kenya share a historic health partnership that over decades has benefitted both Americans and Kenyans,” the statement read. “Our joint response to the current Ebola outbreak is a natural extension of our longstanding cooperation.”

At the centre of the current debate is a bio-isolation facility in Laikipia. The US says the facility is part of wider efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola and strengthen response systems across the region.

“The bio-isolation facility in Laikipia is part of a holistic response to prevent spread of the disease and lessen health risks for the region as a whole; it does not pose risk to nearby communities,” the embassy said.

Health officials argue that the facility will help isolate and manage cases safely, while also supporting testing and surveillance efforts in high-risk areas. The aim, according to the statement, is to improve early detection and reduce pressure on Kenya’s health system.

US expands regional response

Beyond Laikipia, the US says it is working with Kenyan authorities to improve border screening, expand testing capacity, and strengthen preparedness in counties considered most vulnerable to infection.

The embassy also noted that the response includes expanded capacity to isolate and test asymptomatic individuals involved in the response effort, including international health workers. It said this will help reduce the risk of wider transmission while preserving Kenya’s clinical resources for local patients.

The United States confirmed it remains the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response. It said its direct assistance has exceeded $162 million (Ksh20.9 billion), with additional funding continuing to support response teams across the region.

It added that it has also provided $350 million (Ksh45.15 billion)through OCHA pooled funds for emergency response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside broader humanitarian programmes.

Officials said the overall goal is to stop the outbreak at its source and prevent cross-border spread.

“The Department has provided funding to stop the outbreak at its source and prevent Ebola from reaching Kenya or the United States,” the statement said.

As legal and public debate continues in Kenya, both governments say they will maintain cooperation while addressing concerns raised in court and in affected communities. The US maintains that the facility is safe, controlled, and essential to the wider regional response.