President William Ruto has defended plans by the United States government to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base, saying the initiative stems from the long-standing diplomatic and strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States.
Speaking on Monday June 1, 2026, during a media roundtable with North Eastern journalists at Wajir State Lodge, President Ruto said he personally approved the facility after talks with President Donald Trump.
Ruto reiterated that the project is aimed at strengthening Kenya’s public health systems and emergency response capacity.
“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have walked with Kenya,” Ruto stated.
“For 30, 40 years, the American government has supported us. They have deployed huge resources in Kenya to work with us on HIV, AIDS, to work with us on other diseases.”
The Head of State noted that Kenya has strengthened its preparedness for Ebola and other infectious diseases through established surveillance systems, isolation units, and treatment facilities.
He further indicated that 23 counties have activated emergency response frameworks, with designated hospitals prepared to manage any suspected infections.
The President said similar centres exist at Kenyatta National Hospital, the Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, and Alupe Hospital in Busia.
“We have deployed every arsenal that we have to make sure that we protect Kenya, that we deal with the challenge. We have made preparations for isolation units, for surveillance, for treatment,” he said.
Ruto asserted health officials are screening around 3,000 people every day at entry points, including travellers and transit passengers, to support early detection of potential infections.
“Fortunately for our country, not a single person tested has tested positive for Ebola,” he said.
President Ruto also cautioned critics against what he described as “reckless talk,” urging Kenyans to have confidence in the government’s decision to establish a proposed Ebola health facility at Laikipia Air Base. He dismissed the debate surrounding the project as political interference in a public health issue.
