Laikipia residents set to hold protests against Ebola facility

Agitated residents of Laikipia County have vowed to stage a major demonstration today to protest the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base.

A satellite image by Reuters shows erected tents and vehicles at the facility site.

The actualisation of the facility is a breach of the High Court order that temporarily suspended its set-up.

Hearing of the case is scheduled for Monday, 29, 2026.

Wrangling on the establishment of the facility continues despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa CDC warning of increased cases of Ebola, caused by the Bungibugyo virus, spreading in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Laikipia residents have expressed anger over the government's decision to proceed with the project aimed at serving Americans exposed to the virus.

Their concerns have intensified following allegations that the setting up of the facility is going on, with assorted equipment and experts from the US having arrived in the country to jumpstart its operation.

But even with the demos, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale maintained that construction of the facility shall continue as planned.

Ebola, being a public health matter, Duale said, requires a quick response for the safety of the population.

“I am implementing the Public Health Act, Section 35/36 in protecting the public health and safety of citizens,” Duale told The Standard in an interview.

He warned leaders and locals in Laikipia against politicising the facility.

“We should not politicise public health safety of our citizens, including those in Laikipia,” added Duale.

The CS told MPs that the facility will serve both Kenyans and Americans.

Duale’s communication contradicted earlier communication by White House that the 50-bed capacity facility will serve only Americans, and be manned by trained Americans.

But even as Duale maintains construction shall continue, residents have vowed to go on the streets until the plan is halted.

Laikipia North MP Sarah Korera is among the elected leaders who have protested the setting up of the facility.

During a plenary at the National Assembly, Korera said Ebola is a rare and fatal disease, and common sense would dictate that it would be natural to have it contained in DRC or Uganda, the epicentre.

Locals shall gather at KANU grounds in Nanyuki town for the demos set to start at 8.30 am.

Mwangi Wangai, a human rights activist, accused Duale of reckless utterances, saying it is wrong for a leader to dismiss locals without addressing their concerns.

“We feel like we are not being heard. And on this, we shall reject setting up a facility,” Wangai said. 

“The reason why we are doing these demos is as per what the government is doing. It is sad to hear reckless utterances by the CS." 

The Constitution, he said, places Kenya as a sovereign nation, and that power belongs to the people.

“People determine how they want to be ruled. Why then does Duale dictate what to be done to us by power, by force? We are against the plan,” added Wangai.

The locals said that though the Airbase is restricted, officers working there still network and mingle with people outside the camp. Therefore, agreeing to set up the facility risks the health of people.

“Having a quarantine facility is like keeping a snake in your house. What happens if it bites you?” posed Wangai.

Douglas Kiguru, a local politician aspiring to become MP for Laikipia East, said picketing is the only way to be listened to.

He regretted that the government does not listen to people, and does not respect the Judiciary.

“The only way out is picketing to agitate for changes and be heard. We shall continue picketing. It is the only choice we have until the government halts the entire process,” Kiguri told The Standard.

Kiguri noted that even with protests, planes continue to land at the site.

Florence Wachira, another resident, noted that although Duale assured Kenyans that the facility would serve Americans and Kenyan citizens, it would be restricted as it is inside a military camp.

She appealed for preparedness to safeguard locals against the highly infectious disease.

According to her, local hospitals lack adequate equipment, diagnostics and health workers to handle common ailments. With Ebola, she observed, hospitals will be overwhelmed.

“We are going to reject the Ebola facility. We don’t need it here at all. How shall it help us, yet it's inside a military camp? Who will allow you in?” Ms Wachira posed.

Wachira said Laikipia has no other facility to handle suspected cases of Ebola.

“The government should have looked at state hospitals here. Are they well facilitated with PPEs? Actually, we do not have simple painkillers, no MRI and here we want to take in Ebola. Just how?” she said.

She accused Duale of chest thumping instead of having health issues affecting locals given priority.

“There should be no chest thumping on Ebola. Is it their project? We asked for roads and quality healthcare, but instead they are bringing us an Ebola facility,” said Wachira.

Even with restrictions, Wachira observed that there is a likelihood of a spill of the disease to the general public.

The CS said the Ministry of Health is establishing 23 quarantine, isolation and treatment centres across the country.

At least 12 counties are at very high risk and 13 are at high risk.

Last week, appearing before the plenary at the National Assembly, Duale maintained that the setting up of the facility will not stop.

The CS said no public participation or consultation will be done in setting up quarantine or isolation facilities, including the much contested at Laikipia Airbase.

“We shall not consult. This epidemic doesn’t require any consultation. Before Kenyans die, as a government, we have a responsibility to protect Kenyans and non-Kenyans within our border or transit within our country,” Duale told MPs.

The plan of setting up isolation has largely been opposed by Kenyans across the board, including leaders from Laikipia County.

During the last protest held last week in Nanyuki, at least two people were shot dead by the police, with several critically injured.