US House committee post fuels opposition rejection of Ebola facility plan in Laikipia
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 2, 2026The opposition has intensified its rejection of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia, citing a statement by a United States congressional committee and arguing that Kenya should not host arrangements they say the US itself is avoiding.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party headquarters, Nyandarua Senator and DCP Secretary-General designate John Methu said recent remarks from the US House Foreign Affairs Committee showed that America prefers to treat its citizens at home.
“Are you aware that the USA House Foreign Affairs Committee has asked the USA government to take Americans home for treatment and not dump them in foreign countries?” he said.
He argued that Kenya should not be drawn into what he described as a policy contradiction by the United States.
“We join the people of Kenya, the health professionals in saying no to this Ebola facility in Nanyuki or elsewhere within the territory of the Republic of Kenya. Kenyans’ interests must come first, Mr. President,” he added.
The senator’s remarks referenced a post published on Monday, June 1, 2026 by the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats on X. The committee said the US government had a responsibility to care for its citizens abroad and should rely on domestic Ebola treatment facilities rather than “outsource that responsibility to a foreign government.”
The post stated:
“Our government has a responsibility to help Americans abroad. The US already has domestic facilities specifically designed to safely care for Ebola patients. The Trump admin should bring Americans home and help them, not outsource that responsibility to a foreign government.”
The opposition used the statement to reinforce its position that Kenya should not proceed with the planned isolation centre linked to Laikipia Air Base.
The proposed facility has become a major political and legal issue in Kenya. It is intended to support treatment and isolation of US citizens exposed to Ebola in the region, particularly from neighbouring countries experiencing outbreaks.
Row over Ebola facility
The government has defended the arrangement, saying it is based on a mutual agreement with the United States and forms part of broader preparedness efforts. President William Ruto has said Kenya accepted the request in the context of long-standing cooperation with Washington.
“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” the President said earlier this week, while urging leaders to avoid politicising the matter.
However, opposition leaders argue that the decision was made without adequate public participation and exposes Kenya to unnecessary health risks. They say the country should not accept arrangements designed primarily for foreign nationals while local health systems remain under strain.
The controversy has also triggered protests in Nanyuki, where demonstrations against the facility turned violent earlier in the week. At least two people were shot dead during the unrest, according to hospital reports and eyewitness accounts, though police have not confirmed the circumstances.
Community members said tensions rose after concerns spread that the facility would be established near Laikipia Air Base. Security has since been increased in the area, and the High Court has issued conservatory orders stopping the implementation of the project pending a legal challenge.
Opposition leaders have linked the issue to broader governance concerns, including public accountability and trust in government decisions. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Kenya should not accept risks that other countries avoid. “It cannot be that Kenya is willing to take risks the United States is not willing to take,” he said.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also maintained that the lives of Kenyans must not be used as leverage in international agreements. “The lives of our people are not bargaining chips,” he said.
Former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has called for full public participation, saying no health decision of such scale should proceed without the consent of citizens. “No decision touching on public health should be undertaken without public participation and the full confidence of the citizens,” he said.
Health authorities in Kenya have maintained that the country remains on high alert and has not recorded any Ebola cases. They argue that surveillance and preparedness measures are in place and that the proposed facility is part of strengthening regional response capacity.