Senior Counsel Paul Muite has raised sharp constitutional concerns over the establishment of the Ebola quarantine and isolation centre at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, warning that its implementation may be in breach of constitutional provisions, court orders, and fundamental rights.
In a statement invoking Article 129 of the Constitution, Muite argued that executive authority must be exercised strictly in line with the law and in the public interest, insisting that the project had already been rejected by sections of the public and halted by the courts.
“Article 129 of our Constitution provides:- 129. (1) Executive authority derives from the people of Kenya and shall be exercised in accordance with this Constitution. (2) Executive authority shall be exercised in a manner compatible with the principle of service to the people of Kenya, and for their well-being and benefit,” Muite stated.
He added that the government’s continued push to operationalise the facility despite public resistance and judicial intervention amounted to constitutional defiance.
“Mr. President, your authority derives from the people of Kenya and must be exercised by you for their well-being and benefit. They have said a loud NO to this American Ebola Centre at Nanyuki. There are Court Orders halting its construction. Three peaceful demonstrators have now been shot dead by the police,” he said.
“Mr. President, you’re in manifest violation of this Article, of the Court Orders, of the Right to Life and of Peaceful Demonstrations.”
The remarks come amid heightened tension surrounding the proposed quarantine centre, which is being developed within the Laikipia Air Base, a Kenya Defence Forces facility.
The site has been designated for a high-security isolation unit intended to monitor individuals potentially exposed to Ebola, particularly from outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
Authorities have described the facility as part of Kenya’s broader disease preparedness framework, involving coordination between the Ministry of Health, the military, and international partners.
The centre is expected to operate as a controlled quarantine unit with a limited bed capacity and strict containment protocols.
However, the project has sparked sustained opposition from a section of local residents and activists, who have questioned its transparency, location within a military base, and potential health and security implications.
Court proceedings have also been initiated, with reports indicating temporary orders halting further development pending full legal review.
The controversy has been further intensified by allegations of excessive use of force during demonstrations opposing the project, raising concerns over policing of public protests and respect for constitutional freedoms.