President William Ruto has defended the establishment of a quarantine Ebola treatment facility supported by the United States, saying it is part of Kenya’s broader national disease preparedness framework and not an extraordinary or isolated arrangement.
Speaking after a media roundtable at Wajir State Lodge, Ruto said the government’s top priority remains the protection of Kenyans’ health and safety, especially amid emerging global health threats.
He noted that Kenya is continuously strengthening its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases through partnerships with international allies.
“The health and safety of Kenyans remain our top priority. As part of our preparedness measures against the Ebola threat, the Government is taking all necessary steps to prevent, detect, and manage any potential cases,” Ruto said.
He highlighted Kenya’s long-standing cooperation with the United States in public health, pointing to joint interventions in HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and Ebola response efforts.
According to the President, such collaboration has historically strengthened Kenya’s emergency health systems and remains critical today.
Ruto clarified that the quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base with US support is part of a network of 23 similar centres across the country.
He said the system includes designated treatment and isolation units at major health institutions such as Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, the National Police Service Hospital, and Alupe Hospital in Busia, among others.
“These measures are intended solely to safeguard public health and strengthen our capacity to respond effectively to health emergencies,” he said, adding that similar partnerships proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He cited earlier emergency collaborations, including the establishment of specialised isolation capacity at Nairobi Hospital during the pandemic period, as evidence of the value of international cooperation in managing public health crises.
At the same time, Ruto cautioned political actors against turning public health interventions into political disputes, urging national unity in addressing health security challenges.
Beyond health matters, the President also discussed development projects in Northern Kenya, saying his administration is focused on unlocking the region’s economic potential through infrastructure expansion and investment-driven growth.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development, noting that strengthening health systems remains central to Kenya’s long-term national security and economic stability.