Parliamentary Health Committee Summons CS Duale Over US Ebola Quarantine Deal

Parliamentary Health Committee Summons CS Duale Over US Ebola Quarantine Deal

Fresh political and legal pressure is mounting on the government after Parliament’s Health Committee summoned Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and senior Ministry of Health officials over the controversial United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility proposed for Laikipia County.

The committee directed the CS and relevant ministry representatives to appear before lawmakers next Tuesday to explain the circumstances surrounding the proposed arrangement, which has already sparked intense public debate, legal battles, and growing concerns over national health security.

The parliamentary summons comes only hours after the High Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders suspending the planned establishment of the Ebola quarantine and treatment centre pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Katiba Institute.

In its ruling delivered on Friday, May 29, the Milimani High Court barred the government from facilitating, approving, or operationalising any Ebola-related quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility linked to the United States or any foreign government within Kenya.

“Upon reading the Notice of Motion dated May 28, 2026, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving establishment of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya,” the court directed.

Justice Patricia Nyaundi further warned that any violation of the orders would attract legal consequences for individuals or institutions found disregarding the court directive.

The case was filed under a certificate of urgency by Katiba Institute, which argued that the proposed arrangement raised serious constitutional, biosafety, and public health concerns that required urgent judicial intervention before implementation.

The lobby group further questioned whether the Executive could enter into such a sensitive international arrangement without public participation, parliamentary oversight, and comprehensive environmental and health risk assessments.

The controversy stems from reports indicating that Kenya had approved a U.S.-supported Ebola quarantine facility expected to be established at an air force base in Laikipia County.

According to reports, the centre was expected to become operational within one week and would initially include a 50-bed field hospital with room for future expansion to accommodate up to 250 patients if necessary.

The facility was also expected to be staffed by personnel from the U.S. Public Health Service, with deployment teams reportedly already undergoing specialised training in Maryland ahead of transfer to Kenya.

The United States government has committed approximately Ksh1.74 billion toward strengthening Kenya’s Ebola preparedness systems following a recent phone conversation between President William Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to the U.S. Department of Foreign Assistance, the funding was intended to support emergency preparedness infrastructure, medical surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and regional disease response coordination.

However, the developments have triggered sharp criticism from sections of the public, health experts, and civil society organisations, with many questioning the risks associated with hosting individuals exposed to Ebola within Kenya.

Critics argue that the arrangement could increase the country’s vulnerability to a dangerous outbreak, especially given Kenya’s status as a major regional transport and commercial hub.

For many Kenyans, the developments have revived memories of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the country imposed strict containment measures including mandatory quarantines, airport screenings, curfews, and restrictions on movement.

The prospect of importing individuals exposed to Ebola into the country has therefore intensified public anxiety, particularly on social media platforms where concerns over preparedness and transparency continue to dominate public discussion.

On Wednesday, May 28, Health CS Aden Duale attempted to calm growing fears, insisting that any international cooperation involving Ebola response measures would strictly comply with Kenya’s public health laws and biosafety regulations.

“Any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and the overriding responsibility of the Government to safeguard the health and welfare of the people of Kenya,” Duale stated.

Despite the assurances, pressure has continued to build on the government to publicly disclose the full details of the proposed agreement with the United States.

Members of Parliament are now expected to demand clarity on whether Kenya formally approved the transfer of Ebola-exposed individuals into the country, the exact role of the U.S. government in the project, and the measures put in place to protect public safety.

The Health Committee hearing is expected to become a critical moment in determining the future of the controversial quarantine proposal as legal, political, and public scrutiny intensifies nationwide.

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Parliamentary Health Committee Summons CS Duale Over US Ebola Quarantine Deal