Former Chief Justice and 2027 presidential aspirant David Maraga has criticised President William Ruto’s administration after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declared that Kenya would not serve as a quarantine centre for any jurisdiction.
In a press statement dated November 12, 2026, Maraga accused the government of hypocrisy, arguing that its latest position contradicted its earlier handling of an Ebola quarantine arrangement involving foreign nationals.
“The sudden declaration today by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that “Kenya will not serve as a quarantine centre for any jurisdiction” is a breathtaking display of hypocrisy, and a reminder of this regime’s moral bankruptcy and political cowardice,” he said.
“Ruto sold out Kenya’s safety, sovereignty and dignity to serve the interests of the United States during the Ebola crisis.”
Maraga Takes on Ruto Over Past Ebola Deal
Maraga linked the controversy to protests held in Laikipia five months earlier, where hundreds of Kenyans demonstrated against plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility.
He claimed police used live ammunition against protesters, killing two young Kenyans who opposed the proposed arrangement.
Maraga questioned why the government had previously defended the agreement if, as Duale stated, using Kenya as a quarantine centre had no basis in the International Health Regulations.
He also accused the administration of dismissing public concerns and using police force against those opposing the arrangement.
“Two young Kenyans were shot dead by police while defending our country from becoming a holding ground for risks that foreign powers refused to shoulder on their own soil,” he detailed.
The presidential aspirant called on the government to account for the deaths and explain its earlier position on the Ebola quarantine proposal.
What Was Planned
The proposed facility was a Kenya-US partnership involving a 50-bed Ebola isolation and quarantine centre at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
It was intended to monitor and isolate people arriving from Ebola-affected areas, particularly US citizens exposed while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
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The US government later announced that the facility was ready to receive patients, although it had no occupants. Seven American disaster-response workers had reportedly completed a 21-day quarantine and been discharged.
Why It Was Controversial
Residents, civil society groups and the Law Society of Kenya opposed the project, citing public health concerns and inadequate public participation.
Petitioners also questioned the transparency of the Kenya-US arrangement and warned that using Kenyan facilities to accommodate foreign travellers could further strain the country’s health system.
The dispute raised broader concerns about local consent, national sovereignty and whether Kenya should host quarantine facilities to meet other countries’ travel requirements.
Protests over the proposed facility began in Nanyuki in May 2026 and at times turned violent.
Three people died during confrontations linked to police efforts to disperse demonstrators. One of those killed was 17-year-old student Sylvester Muigai Ndung’u.
Witnesses said the teenager was shot in the head, while police said they were awaiting post-mortem results to establish the cause of death.
Court Action
In May 2026, the High Court issued conservatory orders stopping construction, site preparation and implementation of the proposed facility.
The orders followed a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute challenging the arrangement.
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Duale was subsequently found in contempt of court over the continuation of work despite the orders.
On June 23, 2026, he told the court that he had directed an immediate and complete halt to construction and related activities at Laikipia Air Base.
“I have directed the immediate suspension of any construction of any facility within the area. I wish to tell this court that I commit to honour any orders given by it, exemplified by my service as a citizen, minister, and public servant,” Duale told the court.
Duale’s November Declaration
During a media briefing at Afya House on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Duale declared that Kenya would not host Ebola patients or travellers from other countries to meet their destination countries’ entry requirements.
He also said the Ministry of Health would not issue quarantine certificates or Ebola-free certifications for travel.
“Kenya will not serve as a quarantine centre for any jurisdiction. Travellers from other countries will not be held in Kenya. MoH will not issue any quarantine certificate or Ebola-free certification for travel purposes. Kenya remains open for business, with no restriction on movement or public gathering,” Duale said.
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