Health officials reject claims of U.S.-Kenya Ebola facility talks

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has rejected claims that the Kenyan government is secretly negotiating with the United States to set up an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base.

In a statement signed by Secretary‑General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah, the union accused the government of jeopardising national biosecurity and of “trading the lives of citizens for foreign aid.”

KMPDU questioned why Kenya would be considered as a host for people potentially exposed to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, rather than countries closer to the epicentre.

The union also criticised the safety logic behind transporting exposed persons into Kenya, arguing that if a return flight to the United States is deemed unsafe, it should not be considered safe to bring such individuals into Kenyan territory.

It further accused the United States of applying double standards, citing its own policy of not allowing Ebola cases into its territory.

KMPDU warned that the move could increase pressure on Kenya’s already strained health system, which it said is facing shortages of essential medicines, diagnostic tools and critical‑care infrastructure, as well as unemployment among medical personnel.

The union cautioned against the emergence of a “two‑tier healthcare system” that would sideline local professionals in favour of foreign personnel.

It issued a 48‑hour ultimatum, demanding full disclosure of the alleged negotiations and warned that it would launch nationwide industrial action if the government proceeded without transparency.