Willis Otieno raises alarm over strategic motives behind Nanyuki Ebola facility
By Mustafa Juma, June 2, 2026Constitutional lawyer and governance commentator Willis Otieno has raised fresh concerns over the proposed US-supported Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki.
Taking to his official X account in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Safina deputy party leader questioned the broader strategic interests behind the project and demanded full transparency from the government.
Otieno argued that recent remarks by President William Ruto confirming the existence of multiple Ebola-related facilities across the country had intensified public concerns about the purpose and long-term implications of the programme.
Strategic interests
Otieno noted that Laikipia County, where the proposed Nanyuki facility is expected to be established, occupies a sensitive and strategic position due to its mineral wealth and the presence of foreign military bases.
“Ruto says he authorised the establishment of a U.S.-supported Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki and that there are 23 similar facilities across Kenya,” Otieno stated.
“At the same time, Laikipia is known to host significant mineral deposits, including reported gold occurrences and other strategic resources, while the presence of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in the region has long attracted public interest.”
He said these factors naturally raise questions regarding the broader geopolitical and security interests surrounding the project.
Demand for transparency
The lawyer called on the government to publicly disclose all agreements governing foreign involvement in the facilities, including details relating to public health operations, security arrangements, and international partnerships.
“These facts naturally raise questions about the broader strategic interests at play,” he said.
“Kenyans deserve full transparency regarding the purpose of these facilities, the agreements governing foreign involvement, and any potential links to national security, public health, or resource interests.”
Otieno further argued that openness and accountability were essential to maintaining public trust amid rising anxiety surrounding the proposed facility.
Growing national controversy
The proposed Ebola quarantine and treatment centre in Laikipia has sparked political and legal battles in recent days, with leaders from the Mt Kenya region openly opposing the plan.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu previously rejected the proposed establishment of the facility in the county, arguing that residents had not been consulted and that there were currently no Ebola cases reported in the region.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga also demanded the suspension of the project, citing fears over cross-border exposure and concerns among residents living near the proposed site.
On Monday, June 1, 2026, Nanyuki residents also marked their Madaraka Day in the streets as they protested the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
Court blocks Ebola facility plan
The controversy escalated further after the High Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders temporarily blocking the government and the Ministry of Health from allowing the entry of Ebola-infected persons into Kenya.
The order, issued by Justice Patricia Nyaundi, also restrained the government from arranging the transfer of persons infected with Ebola into the country pending determination of the case.
The ruling effectively halted the implementation of the proposed Nanyuki quarantine plan, which had reportedly received support from the United States government.
The US government reacts
The United States government later acknowledged awareness of the legal challenge filed in Kenya against the proposed facility.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department said it remained in contact with Kenyan authorities and expressed optimism that objections surrounding the project could be resolved.
Despite official assurances that the facilities are intended for public health preparedness and emergency response, concerns continue to grow online and among political leaders over transparency, consultation, and foreign involvement.
As the legal and political contest over the facility intensifies, pressure continues to mount on the government to provide comprehensive explanations on the purpose, management, and long-term implications of the Ebola preparedness programme.