By Nyang’au Araka
The Ministry of Health has issued a rejoinder to reports that the United States was in talks with Kenya to establish a quarantine facility the country for American citizens exposed to Ebola.
Media agencies including Reuters quoted two unnamed U.S. officials who alleged that the facility would be staffed by the U.S. Public Health Service and located on an air force base, with Britain also involved in discussions.
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The report further suggested that Kenya had not yet approved the plan and wanted the facility to be open to all nationalities, while seeking increased U.S. aid if the proposal were to proceed.
Multiple cases have so far been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with claims that the disease has also spilled to Uganda, heightening fears that it may as well find its way into Kenya.
The Ministry of Health moved to dismiss the narrative on Wednesday evening, insisting that its engagement with the U.S. and other partners was about strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease and other emerging health threats, not hosting a foreign‑exclusive base.
In its official statement, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, declared: “Kenya remains committed to playing its role as a responsible regional and global partner in advancing health security.”
“As we continue to strengthen preparedness and resilience, our approach will remain guided by science, collaboration, national interest and the shared objective of protecting populations from emerging public health threats.”
Other media outlets have also reported on the issue, adding to the swirl of speculation.
The East African noted that discussions were ongoing but emphasized that Kenya’s approval was not guaranteed.
Newsweek highlighted U.S. considerations of quarantining citizens in Kenya rather than evacuating them to America, citing logistical concerns.
ABC News reported that the facility was being considered to avoid long medical evacuations, though details remained unclear.
Locally, The Standard stressed that any cooperation would be guided strictly by Kenyan laws and public health regulations.
The conflicting reports have drawn anxiety among Kenyans, with fears that the country could be portrayed as a containment zone for foreign health crises.
Tourism operators have warned that such speculation risks undermining confidence in Kenya as a safe travel destination, recalling how past Ebola outbreaks in West Africa led to cancellations across the continent despite Kenya being unaffected.
Regional airlines and Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) face heightened scrutiny, raising concerns about disruptions to foreign travel and Kenya’s role as East Africa’s aviation hub.
Meanwhile, BBC reported that ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is hampering the Ebola outbreak response, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the east of the country was at the centre of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict” with the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province outpacing the response.
In a statement posted on X, Tedros said the WHO “cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling”.
There have been 220 suspected deaths since the outbreak was declared.
Concerns over the possible spread of the Ebola outbreak has spurred more countries into imposing strict travel restrictions.
BBC reported on Wednesday that Canada has announced a temporary 90-day entry ban on residents from DR Congo and neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan.
The Bahamas also imposed strict rules meaning foreign nationals from those countries face quarantine or isolation measures.
Last week the US banned non-citizens who had travelled to the three places from entering.
The Congolese health authorities say around 1,000 people are currently showing symptoms consistent with Ebola.
