US to Establish Ebola Quarantine Facility in Laikipia After Kenya Approval

Kenya has approved the U.S. plan to establish an Ebola quarantine and monitoring facility in Laikipia County to manage Americans exposed to the virus during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The facility is set to begin operations on Friday and will be based at Laikipia Air Base.

During the first phase, it will include 50 beds, with plans to expand capacity to 250 beds in later stages, depending on operational needs and exposure levels linked to the outbreak.

Ebola Quarantine Set to be Established in Laikipia

According to Reuters, the facility will be operated by the US military and staffed by members of the US Public Health Service, with experience in Ebola response, tasked with ensuring isolation, monitoring, and infection control procedures are strictly followed.

The US argued that the primary goal of the facility is to avoid long evacuation flights back to the US for individuals exposed to Ebola.

“The facility is designed to provide access to high-quality care for Americans who would need to quickly get out of DRC and quarantine without the risks of a lengthy transport back to the U.S.,” a US administration official told The Washington Post.

Also Read: Doctors Union Rejects US-Backed Ebola Facility in Kenya, Threatens Nationwide Strike

However, if patients require more advanced treatment, they could later be transferred to specialized medical facilities in Europe.

Despite the approval and upcoming launch, no Americans have yet been transferred to the Laikipia facility.

Kenya Confirms Talks With U.S Over Ebola 

This comes shortly after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the government of Kenya is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States government and other global partners on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CS Duale said that Kenya’s participation in any international health cooperation would strictly prioritize the safety of its citizens.

Also Read: Blow to Trump as Petition Filed to Block Proposed Ebola Quarantine Facility in Kenya

He added that Kenya’s health system has earned regional and global recognition through years of investment in disease surveillance, laboratory systems, and emergency preparedness.

According to the ministry, the country has already activated its national Incident Management System and heightened screening at points of entry following the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.

The CS maintained that Kenya remains ready to respond to emerging health threats while balancing national interests and global obligations.

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CS Health Aden Duale presided over the commissioning of the Mombasa Radiotherapy Centre at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital on May 11, 2026