Nanyuki residents lash out at Duale, vow fresh protests over Ebola facility

A section of Nanyuki residents addressing journalists on June 4, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

Residents of Nanyuki Town in Laikipia County have intensified their opposition to plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base, vowing to sustain protests until the government abandons the project.

The residents criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over his insistence that the facility will proceed despite public opposition and ongoing court proceedings challenging the project.

Speaking during a press conference in Nanyuki on Thursday, the residents said the proposed facility poses a serious risk to the local community and accused the government of ignoring public concerns.

"We are extremely dismayed by how the government is treating our community as if we are dispensable people. The CS showed up in Parliament and said that the opinions of the people are not necessary in how this government is running issues," said trader Lewis Ngunyi.

The residents maintained that they would continue pushing for the project to be shelved, arguing that Kenya should not assume the risks associated with quarantining individuals exposed to Ebola from outside its borders.

Residents announced a fresh round of demonstrations beginning on June 9, saying they would mobilise communities across the country to join their campaign against the project.

Businessman Martin Githaiga argued that Ebola outbreaks should be managed at their source rather than transferring exposed individuals to Kenya.

"Every time Ebola has appeared in the past, it was controlled where it started. We have trained experts in surveillance, preparedness and disease control. Why are they bringing this disaster to us? We are angry and we want our leaders to do the job they were elected to do instead of hiding from the people," he said.

The protests come as questions continue to emerge over reports that construction work linked to the facility is ongoing despite court orders suspending the project.

The High Court recently halted plans for the facility pending the hearing and determination of petitions challenging its legality. The court also directed the government to disclose agreements, approvals, risk assessments and operational protocols related to the project.

Lawyer Derrick Maingi, who is representing residents arrested during previous demonstrations, said he was gathering evidence to support a contempt of court application against the government.

"On our part, we wish to remind the CS that the Constitution is the supreme law of this country. We also have information that there is ongoing construction at the Laikipia Air Base, and we are in the process of filing a contempt of court application".

"We are calling on members of the public to provide photographic and videographic evidence that can support the case," said Maingi.

He also faulted remarks attributed to Duale that public participation was unnecessary, arguing that the Constitution requires citizens to be involved in decisions affecting their lives and communities.

Grace Wanene said it was impossible for such a facility to operate in isolation from the surrounding population, noting that the proposed site is located near schools, homes and workplaces.

She argued that workers, teachers, students and support staff would inevitably interact with the facility, making it difficult to guarantee that local communities would not be affected.

Others questioned why Kenya had emerged as the preferred location for the project while other countries were taking measures to prevent the spread of Ebola within their borders.

Marlin Ndegwa said residents remained unconvinced by assurances that the facility would be safe and insisted that the risks outweighed any potential benefits.

"We are real people with real children, real schools and real communities. Ebola is where we draw the line. We completely reject this facility," he said.

The government has maintained that the facility forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ebola preparedness and has insisted that it will not be reserved exclusively for American citizens.

However, residents say they will continue with planned protests and legal action until the proposal is withdrawn, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between the government and opponents of the project in the coming days.