Why I Agreed to Establish US Ebola Facility in Kenya – Ruto Explains

President William Ruto at Wajir County Teaching and Referral Hospital Accident and Emergency Wing

President William Ruto has broken his silence on the planned establishment of an Ebola screening and isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base, explaining why his government agreed to support the United States initiative.

Speaking for the first time on the matter during a roundtable interview with journalists in Wajir County, hours after the Madaraka Day celebrations held on June 1, 2026, President Ruto defended the decision, saying it was part of Kenya’s long-standing partnership with the United States.

According to the President, the request was made by US President Donald Trump, and Kenya agreed to host the facility because of the strong relationship the two countries have built over several decades.

“Our partnership with our friends, the American government, is a partnership that is mutually beneficial to us and to them,” President Ruto said.

He added that when the US government asked Kenya to support the initiative by establishing a centre at Laikipia Air Base, he approved the request because of the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

Ruto Breaks Silence on Establishing an Ebola Facility in Kenya

President Ruto noted that the United States has invested heavily in Kenya’s health sector, including programmes aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

“The American government has supported us. They have deployed huge resources in Kenya to work with us on HIV/AIDS and other diseases,” he said.

The President also pointed to previous collaborations in medical research, including efforts linked to Ebola and COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the Head of State, Kenya’s decision was informed by the benefits the country has received through its partnerships with the US and other international allies.

Also Read: Tension in Nanyuki as Police Fire Tear Gas at Ebola Demonstrators

Facility Similar to Others in Kenya

At the same time, President Ruto also dismissed fears that the facility planned for Laikipia would be different from others already operating in the country.

He said Kenya currently has 23 similar facilities in major hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Thika Hospital, and Alupe Hospital in Busia.

According to the President, these centres help health officials detect, isolate, and treat Ebola cases early to prevent the disease from spreading.

“So, the facility that is at Laikipia Air Base is not a facility different from all the other facilities that we have across Kenya,” Ruto said.

“These facilities are meant to make sure that there is proper screening, and if there is any identification of people who have Ebola, then immediately they are isolated, they are treated so that we avoid any spread of the disease.”

Also Read: ODM Issues Directive to Ruto and MPs Over Proposed Ebola Facility in Laikipia

Ruto’s remarks come just days after the High Court temporarily halted the establishment of the US-backed Ebola facility in Laikipia following a petition challenging the project.

However, reports have emerged that the Kenyan and US governments are continuing with plans to construct a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base despite the court order.

The reports sparked protests in Nanyuki on Monday, June 1, with hundreds of residents taking to the streets to oppose the project.

The demonstrators expressed concerns over the planned facility and called on the government to stop its implementation until the court case is determined.

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