President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s decision to host an American Ebola response facility at Laikipia Air Base, describing the move as part of a longstanding partnership between Kenya and the United States.
Speaking during a high-stakes roundtable discussion with North Eastern media stakeholders, President Ruto said the government’s approval was based on mutual cooperation and decades of support that Kenya has received from the US government.
The President revealed that the request came directly from US President Donald Trump, who sought Kenya’s assistance in establishing a center to manage individuals exposed to the Ebola virus.
“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a center in Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30, 40 years,” Ruto said.
Kenya-US Relations Influenced the Decision
Ruto emphasized that the United States has consistently supported Kenya through development programs, security cooperation, healthcare investments, and humanitarian assistance.
According to the President, Kenya’s decision was guided by the strength of the bilateral relationship and the need to reciprocate support from a long-standing ally.
“The American government has supported us. They have deployed huge resources in Kenya,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing public debate and legal challenges surrounding the establishment of the facility, with critics raising concerns over public health risks and the transparency of the agreement.
The Kenyan government has maintained that the proposed facility is intended to support international disease response efforts and is part of broader global health cooperation initiatives.
Officials have repeatedly stated that strict health and safety protocols would be observed to prevent any risk to the Kenyan public. However, the issue has attracted significant political and legal scrutiny, prompting calls for greater public disclosure regarding the arrangement.
Ruto’s latest comments mark his strongest public defense yet of the agreement, framing it as a strategic decision rooted in diplomacy, partnership, and Kenya’s role in supporting international health security efforts.
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