The Kenyan government has addressed growing concerns over a proposed 50-bed Ebola containment and treatment facility planned for Laikipia County.According to statements attributed to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the centre will be managed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and will not exclusively serve foreign nationals, as it will also admit Kenyans should Ebola cases be reported locally.

The clarification comes amid rising public debate and opposition from various leaders and residents who fear potential health and safety risks associated with the facility.

The proposed centre is linked to a broader United States-supported initiative aimed at responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has recorded over 1,000 confirmed infections and more than 200 deaths within a short period.

The plan involves establishing a specialised containment unit in Kenya to assess and treat individuals exposed to the virus, particularly in emergency or cross-border scenarios.

However, the project has sparked political resistance, with several leaders, including county governors from the Mt Kenya region, calling for its suspension.

Critics argue that residents near Laikipia were not adequately consulted and have raised concerns about transparency, environmental safety, and the potential risk of cross-border transmission.Some leaders from neighbouring counties such as Nyeri have warned that communities linked through trade and movement corridors could also be exposed.

In response, local leaders are urging the national government to provide full details of the project, including funding arrangements, operational frameworks, and safety assessments, while ensuring public participation before any construction proceeds.The debate continues as Kenya balances international health cooperation with domestic concerns over disease preparedness and public trust.