The United States is moving ahead with plans for a quarantine facility in Nairobi. It would house American citizens exposed to Ebola from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Kenya has confirmed awareness of the discussions. Yet officials have released little information about the arrangement.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale issued a two-page statement. It acknowledged ongoing talks with the US on Ebola preparedness.
The statement highlighted Kenya's readiness. It mentioned screening of more than 55,000 travellers at ports of entry. Ten were tested for Ebola. All results were negative.
Daily Nation submitted ten specific questions to Duale. They covered why Kenya was chosen. They asked about the facility's location in Nairobi. They inquired about arrival timelines for exposed individuals. They raised concerns over added infection risks for Kenyans.
Most questions went unanswered.
Duale instead stressed long-standing US-Kenya health partnerships. Kenya positions itself as a regional leader in health security.
The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Reuters reported the Trump administration's intentions. US Public Health Service officers have received deployment notices. Some could arrive soon.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention called for volunteers. They would support Ebola screening at Kenyan entry points.
Mukhisa Kituyi sharply questioned the choice of Kenya. He wondered why the facility was not placed closer to the outbreak zone in the DRC.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated clearly. America will not allow Ebola cases onto its soil. Citizen protection comes first.
Kenya operates one isolation centre equipped for Ebola. It sits at Kenyatta National Hospital. A few biosafety level labs can confirm samples.
The country lacks an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain now circulating. This adds layers of concern for any quarantine operations.
Duale's statement insisted arrangements would follow Kenyan laws. Biosafety and biosecurity standards would apply. It gave no firm confirmation of the facility itself.
The development ties into recent diplomatic moves. President William Ruto engaged with the Trump administration. A peace deal involving the DRC and Rwanda was signed in Washington in December 2025.
Public reaction has grown heated. Many Kenyans demand transparency on the exact site. They question quarantine durations. They seek details on medical waste management.
The government has kept a low profile. Beyond Duale's release, few updates have emerged.
This situation touches on infrastructure needs. Setting up such a facility requires secure buildings, isolation units and support systems. Questions linger over who would construct and maintain it.
Kenyan officials have not detailed any tender processes or local contractor involvement.
The reports suggest talks are advanced. Deployment notices in the US point to imminent steps.
Yet accountability remains limited. No public mention of Kenyan inspection rights or joint oversight.
This reflects broader tensions. International health cooperation must balance with domestic expectations for openness.
As details stay sparse, unease continues to build in Nairobi and beyond.
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