By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, June 02, 2026 - President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the Government is fully prepared to prevent, detect and manage any potential Ebola cases.
The President said robust measures are in place to safeguard public health and strengthen the country's emergency response capacity against the disease.
"I want to assure the nation that the Government of Kenya has made adequate arrangements and deployed every resource at its disposal to ensure we protect Kenyans," he said during a media roundtable at Wajir State Lodge on Monday evening.
The President said Kenya is currently screening an average of 3,000 visitors daily at all entry points, with no Ebola case recorded so far.
President Ruto said Kenya continues to benefit from longstanding partnerships with international allies, including the United States, which have played a significant role in strengthening the country's pandemic response capacity.
"Our partnership with the American government is mutually beneficial to us and to them. When President Donald Trump asked me to support them by having a centre at Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it is a partnership and agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for over 40 years on health issues," he said.
He recalled that the US government played a key role in supporting Kenya's response to public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base with support from the United States is part of a broader national preparedness strategy.
He reiterated that the facility exists solely to protect the health and well-being of Kenyans and others, and to ensure the nation responds swiftly and effectively to public health emergencies.
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He explained that the facility is neither unique nor exceptional, but one of 23 such centres under Kenya's disease preparedness framework.
He said similar facilities have been established at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, the National Police Service Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital in Nairobi, and Alupe Hospital in Busia, among others.
President Ruto said the centres are intended solely to support screening, isolation and treatment in the event of an outbreak.
While noting that the country has not recorded a single Ebola case so far, the President reiterated that the possibility of an outbreak cannot be ruled out.
"We have security personnel serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as ordinary Kenyans working there. If they were to contract Ebola, we would have a responsibility as a country to treat them," he said.
The President urged leaders and stakeholders not to politicise public health interventions, saying preparedness remains a critical component of national security and public safety.
"I am wondering why anybody would want to politicise a matter as serious as a pandemic. We are a responsible government, and we know what we are doing," he said.