Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has strongly opposed the planned establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, alleging that the project poses a serious threat to communities living in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with DCP party aspirants from Meru County, the former Deputy President questioned the government’s decision to partner with the United States in setting up the facility in Kenya.
Gachagua claimed that the project could expose local communities to significant health risks and accused President William Ruto of failing to protect Kenyans from potential dangers associated with the Ebola virus.
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“We have every reason to believe that this Ebola centre is a strategic plan by William Ruto to wipe out the Mt Kenya community and, more so, the people of Meru and Laikipia,” Gachagua said.
He further argued that if the Ebola virus is considered dangerous enough to warrant strict containment measures, then Kenya should not be used as a host country for the facility.
“The American government has said that its citizens shouldn’t be taken to their home because of the danger and risk of that virus spreading and affecting a huge population,” he stated.
Gachagua cited concerns about the deadly nature of the disease, claiming that the proposed facility presents what he termed an “existential threat” to residents of the region.
“This Ebola, we’ve been told by the World Health Organisation, has no vaccine and is likely to kill 50 per cent of those who have been affected. Bringing it to the mountain is an existential threat to the lives of our people,” he said.
The former Deputy President also criticised elected leaders from Meru County, accusing them of remaining silent on the matter despite growing public concerns.
“To our shock and horror, all elected Members of Parliament are quiet. The Senator has said nothing, MPs, fake governor, fake Deputy President have said nothing. The people of Meru are on their own,” he said.
Gachagua insisted that the proposed facility should not be established anywhere in Kenya.
“We don’t want this Ebola centre anywhere in Kenya. Let the Americans take it to America or another country,” he added.
Ruto Defends Project
Gachagua’s remarks come amid an ongoing national debate over the proposed Ebola quarantine facility, which has also sparked protests in parts of Laikipia County.
President William Ruto recently defended the decision during a state visit to South Africa, maintaining that Kenya was acting responsibly by supporting international efforts aimed at preventing and managing disease outbreaks.
The President argued that rejecting the request by the United States to establish the facility would be both irresponsible and inhumane.
“I can tell you without fear of any contradiction, and I can look at everybody in the eye and tell you we are doing the right thing,” President Ruto said.
“It would be the most unfortunate if, on one request by the Americans to set up a facility at their cost, we would refuse. We would look very inhuman,” he added.
According to the government, the United States has committed approximately KSh1.7 billion towards strengthening Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response capacity.
The proposed facility has nevertheless attracted criticism from sections of the public, with opponents questioning its location and calling for greater transparency regarding its intended operations.
As debate over the project continues, the issue is increasingly becoming a political flashpoint, drawing sharp divisions between government supporters and critics over public health, national security and international cooperation.