The Laikipia County Government has formally opposed plans to establish an Ebola Quarantine and Isolation Facility within the county, citing major concerns around public health, governance, economic impact and child safety. In a replying affidavit, County Executive Committee Member for Health Albert Taiti stated that while the county supports national efforts to strengthen preparedness against infectious diseases, it is dissatisfied with how the project is being rolled out.
Taiti noted that the proposed facility would have far-reaching effects on residents, institutions and the county’s health and emergency systems. He warned that Laikipia is already grappling with limited resources for community health services and may not be adequately prepared to handle a high-risk outbreak. While acknowledging the importance of national public health measures, the county insists that decisions involving diseases such as Ebola must meet strict standards of transparency, scientific evaluation, stakeholder involvement, and constitutional compliance.
The county argues that the project could compromise residents’ right to the highest attainable standard of health as guaranteed under Article 43 of the Constitution. It also raises concerns about safety, containment of the disease, and overall emergency preparedness. A key issue highlighted is the alleged lack of meaningful consultation between the national and county governments. According to Taiti, Laikipia was not sufficiently involved in critical stages such as site selection, risk assessment, or emergency planning, contrary to constitutional principles on cooperative governance.
The county has also warned of potential economic fallout, particularly in the tourism sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. Nanyuki Town, located near the proposed site at the Laikipia Air Base, serves as a major tourism and business hub. Laikipia is home to globally recognised attractions such as Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Ol Jogi Conservancy and Mount Kenya National Park. The county says early reports of the proposed facility have already led to cancellations by tourists, raising fears of job losses and reduced income for residents.
Further concerns have been raised about the proximity of the proposed facility to learning institutions within the Kenya Air Force Base in Nanyuki, including Laikipia Airbase Primary and Junior Schools. The county argues that placing an Ebola isolation centre in an area frequented by schoolchildren poses serious risks to child safety and welfare. It says there is no clear evidence that proper child impact assessments, safety audits or emergency evacuation plans were conducted before the site was identified. Citing Article 53(2) of the Constitution, Taiti emphasized that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in any such decision.
Additionally, the county claims that residents have not been adequately informed about the scientific basis of the project, risk mitigation strategies, or long-term health safeguards. It also questions whether sufficient public participation was carried out prior to the announcement. Laikipia is now urging the High Court to subject the project to a thorough judicial review. The county wants the court to ensure full compliance with constitutional requirements, including public participation, intergovernmental consultation and public health protections. Taiti further called on the court to safeguard the interests of children in nearby schools as well as the broader community before any decision is made on the project.
