We won't listen: Duale says Ebola plan unstoppable as MPs query deal

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to ignore public opposition and a court order on the establishment of a quarantine facility for Americans exposed the Ebola virus.

And MPs put to task the CS, who insisted that the facility was open to all, contradicting the American government that the Laikipia Air Base unit was meant for its citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the virus.

Adding a technical dimension to the criticism, National Assembly Health Committee chairperson James Nyikal demanded greater clarity on the proposed facility.

"In pandemics, people are treated where they are. This agreement is general and does not specifically address Ebola," said  Dr Nyikal.

He questioned whether it would admit infected patients and argued that the 2015 bilateral agreement with the US on Cooperation in Threat Reduction Biological Engagement Programmes was too general to authorise a specialised Ebola treatment centre.

Several other MPs echoed this view, disputing Duale’s interpretation of the agreement, which was ratified by Parliament in 2017 and renewed until 2029.

"Kenyans have spoken with one voice. We do not want this facility in Kenya. Please listen to Kenyans," said Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu).

He argued that Kenya's health system remained fragile and questioned why the government would adopt a policy that even the US appeared unwilling to implement on its own soil.

But appearing before the National Assembly plenary on Wednesday, Duale insisted the country was dealing with an extraordinary situation that required a swift public health response.

According to the CS, the establishment of the quarantine centre is regulated by the Public Health Act and does not require public participation.

"We shall not consult. This epidemic does not require consultation. Before Kenyans die, the government has a responsibility to protect both Kenyans and non-Kenyans within our borders or transiting through our country," said Duale.

He said Laikipia's was one of 23 isolation centres the government was establishing and that the project would proceed despite opposition.

He explained that the facility was selected because it is located away from residential areas and is strategically positioned to support more than 450 Kenyan personnel serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Duale added that Laikipia Air Base was more secure than many other facilities earmarked for similar use.

His remarks contradicted earlier communication from the White House, which indicated that the proposed 50-bed facility would serve only Americans and would be staffed by trained American personnel.

Plans to establish the isolation facility have faced widespread opposition from Kenyans. Yesterday, Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere insisted it posed a risk to local residents.

The MP maintained that even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the US did not establish treatment centres in Kenya.

"It is unfortunate that we saw the US declare that it would not allow even one Ebola case to set foot on American soil. If someone is infected in Congo (DRC), will they bring them to Laikipia?" 

Korere claimed that businesses and tourism sector in the county had already been affected.

The MPs wondered why the government was unwilling to disclose full details of the plan

"How are they going to communicate with citizens? Why aren't those in authority communicating clearly?" said Korere.

Suba North legislator Millie Odhiambo, while seeking clarity on the plan, criticised comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"The statements appeared to suggest that the facility was intended for infected Americans so that they do not return to American soil. That was an irresponsible statement," she said.

Duale said the facility would be jointly managed by the Kenyan and US governments under the command of the Kenya Air Force Base commander and the Ministry of Health.

"Some of us were members of this House when the US built a hospital in Nairobi to support the Covid-19 response, and there was no opposition. This is a diplomatic and health matter. We will build the Laikipia facility. If every county refuses, where shall we isolate Kenyans? In the air? We can establish similar centres in military barracks or other suitable locations. It is good for our country," he said.

But the MPs demanded clarity on the legal basis of the agreement.

The CS said Kenya and the agreement, signed on July 24, 2015 during the state visit of then President Barack Obama, was approved by the Cabinet in April, 2016 and subsequently tabled in Parliament.

The House ratified it on February 9, 2017, and the framework entered into force in April the same year before being renewed on April 5, 2022. It remains valid until April 4, 2029.

However, several MPs disputed his interpretation, arguing that the cooperation agreement did not specifically authorise the establishment of a facility to handle highly infectious diseases such as Ebola. 

Despite Dr Nyikal's demand for clarity, Duale declined to directly answer the question.

"As of today, there is no Ebola outbreak in Kenya. I cannot discuss Ebola patients because there are none in the country," he said.

Duale said the Kenyatta National Hospital had prepared an eight-bed isolation and treatment unit and established a separate waste management system for infectious waste, while the National Police Service Hospital had set aside 49 beds.

Additionally, 29 counties have identified designated isolation and treatment sites.

The World Health Organisation has supplied 1,000 Ebola personal protective equipment kits, which are being pre-positioned across the country.

Four laboratories have also been designated for testing: the National Public Health Laboratory, Kemri Nairobi and Kisumu, and a mobile laboratory deployed in Busia.

Teso South Woman Rep Mary Emaase also opposed plans to establish isolation centres at Alupe and Kocholia hospitals, arguing that the two facilities were critical to healthcare provision in the region.

"My people are at the greatest risk. I want to tell the CS that we will resist. Alupe cannot be turned into an Ebola isolation centre. While I support preparedness measures, another facility should be identified," she said.

Duale, however, accused some MPs and members of the public of focusing more on Americans than on the possibility of Kenyans contracting the disease.

He said the establishment of the quarantine facility should not be viewed as a Kenya Kwanza project but as a public health intervention aimed at safeguarding lives.

"Ebola outbreaks did not begin with this government. Ebola and other infectious diseases know no borders. They can come from anywhere. We must ensure that all isolation facilities, including Laikipia, are secure," he said.