Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga has sought to calm public concerns surrounding the proposed Ebola isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base, insisting that the centre is not being established exclusively for American citizens as some reports have suggested.
Speaking during an interview with a local television station on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Oluga addressed growing debate over reports of a US-Kenya arrangement on Ebola preparedness. He maintained that much of the public discussion surrounding the facility had been based on misinformation and exaggerated claims.
According to the PS, the facility is a strategic national asset aimed at strengthening Kenya's ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks and protect public health.
“The Ebola treatment facility in Laikipia is not reserved for a specific group of people. It is a national preparedness asset designed to serve everyone who may require specialised care in the event of an Ebola outbreak, both Kenyans and international visitors, including Americans,” Oluga said.
He emphasized that the government's investment in infectious disease infrastructure is part of a broader effort to improve emergency preparedness and ensure the country is equipped to respond effectively to future health threats.
Oluga noted that global health emergencies require coordinated preparedness measures and that enhancing isolation and treatment capacity remains a critical component of national health security.
His remarks come amid increasing public scrutiny over reports linking Kenya to international Ebola preparedness initiatives. Critics have questioned the implications of such arrangements, while government officials have maintained that the country's priority remains safeguarding the health of all residents and visitors.
The clarification is expected to fuel further debate on Kenya's public health preparedness strategy, even as authorities continue to reassure citizens that the facility is intended to strengthen, not compromise, the country's healthcare response capabilities.
