The Kenyan government has announced it will comply with a court order temporarily suspending the establishment of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, even as Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale warned that extraordinary public health measures could be enforced if an Ebola case is confirmed within the country.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum on Ebola preparedness and response in Nairobi, Duale addressed growing public concern and misinformation surrounding the planned 50-bed, US-backed quarantine facility.
The High Court recently certified as urgent a petition challenging the establishment of the facility and issued orders temporarily stopping its implementation pending further determination of the case.
Duale emphasized that the proposed quarantine centre should not be interpreted as evidence of an Ebola outbreak in Kenya, but rather as a preventive measure aimed at strengthening the country’s emergency response capacity.
“Let me be clear. Preparedness facilities are not evidence of an outbreak. They’re just precautionary measures designed to ensure that if a suspected or a confirmed case arises, our health system can respond safely and effectively while protecting the public,” said Duale.
The Health CS reiterated that preparedness remains a critical pillar of national health security, especially given the rising Ebola cases in the region.
Rising Regional Threat Raises Concern
Health authorities remain on high alert following a surge in Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the caseload has reportedly risen to 676 infections and 136 deaths.
The outbreak has also spread to neighboring Uganda, heightening fears of cross-border transmission and prompting East African countries to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures.
Kenya’s strategic position as a regional transport and business hub has placed additional emphasis on readiness efforts to detect and contain any potential cases before they spread.
Government Warns It May Invoke Public Health Act
While confirming the government’s compliance with the court order, Duale maintained that public safety would remain the top priority and warned that legal powers under the Public Health Act could be activated should the situation deteriorate.
“In the event we need to invoke the Public Health Act Sections 35 and 36, we will invoke the Public Health Act. An epidemic of this magnitude will not wait for more consultation. We have to save lives. We have to prepare the country,” he said.
The provisions cited by the Cabinet Secretary grants authorities powers to enforce measures aimed at controlling infectious disease outbreaks and protecting public health during emergencies.
The dispute over the Nanyuki facility has sparked a national debate between public health preparedness and public participation in government decision-making.
As legal proceedings continue, the government insists that preparedness plans must remain in place to ensure the country can respond swiftly should Ebola reach Kenyan territory.
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