Gachagua Faults Government Over Alleged Ebola Facility Plan, Calls For Public Participation
Politics Updated: 01 June 2026 00:16 EAT
United Opposition team led by DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa,at the Christian faithful of AIC Karen, Nairobi to celebrate the goodness of God and His Mercy
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified criticism of the government over an alleged plan to establish an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya, arguing that the country should prioritize protecting its citizens from potential health risks. Speaking during a church service attended by opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, Gachagua said public concern over the matter had grown significantly in recent days.
“People have been harassing me for the last three days. Riggy G, you are the most truthful man south of Sahara, north of Limpopo. You always tell Kenyans what is happening. I have not spoken to that matter because I have actually been in shock. When I heard about it, I thought it was fake news. I thought it was AI. It has taken me time until my son, who is a medical doctor, Dr. Keith, came to see me yesterday morning and told me it is true.”
Gachagua said he initially dismissed reports surrounding the proposed facility as misinformation before being convinced otherwise. He claimed that the issue raised serious concerns about Kenya’s preparedness and whether the country should assume responsibilities that other nations were unwilling to undertake.
“The United States government has said their citizens having Ebola should not step into their land because of the danger of any possible mishandling that can wipe the entire population of the United States of America. Then they have said look for some country somewhere where we can take these people because we do not want them in our own country, and to us the country identified is Kenya.”
The former deputy president argued that Kenya should not expose itself to risks that more developed nations consider too significant. He maintained that while Kenya values its international partnerships, national safety must remain the overriding consideration in decisions affecting public health.
“We have nothing against the United States. But we are also a responsible country. If the US is saying this Ebola thing is so serious, we do not want our own citizens brought here because of the danger of any spread. It cannot be that Kenya is so good and so magnanimous that we are willing to take the risk the United States is not willing to take. I want to say this is wrong.”
Gachagua welcomed the High Court's conservatory orders halting the establishment of the facility pending determination of an ongoing legal challenge. He described the court's intervention as an important safeguard and called for all parties to respect the judicial process.
“I want to agree with the High Court of Kenya which has issued a conservatory order stopping the establishment of an Ebola center within the Republic of Kenya. We must respect that decision because it is the law. Any attempt to proceed despite the court order would amount to disregard for the Constitution and the principles that govern our democracy.”
In a personal anecdote, Gachagua recounted a conversation with his son, Dr. Keith Gachagua, whom he said expressed relief that he was no longer serving in government. According to Gachagua, the discussion reinforced his opposition to the alleged proposal.
“My son was telling me, ‘Dad, I have come to tell you as a medical doctor for the first time I am very happy you are removed from office.’ I asked him how come. He said, ‘We felt humiliated, we felt treated badly, but today I am happy you are not part of that government because this is a reckless government. Had you been deputy president and a decision was made to allow the establishment of an Ebola center in Kenya, I would be embarrassed as your son and as a medical doctor.’”
The opposition leader also appealed directly to the United States, saying Kenya has long admired American democratic traditions and commitment to constitutionalism. He urged Washington to support the rule of law by respecting decisions made by Kenyan courts.
“The United States of America is the greatest democracy. We admire their democracy and their observance of the rule of law and constitutionalism. We learn from the United States. I want to ask the United States of America, since there is a court order stopping the establishment of that center in Kenya, show us a way in observing the rule of law. Do not join Kenya in disobeying a court order and practicing impunity.”
Gachagua further claimed that concerns had been raised by individuals linked to military installations in Nanyuki, where the facility is alleged to be planned. He said residents and stakeholders deserve an opportunity to voice their views through a transparent process.
“Members of the military who are not political, our military is very disciplined and professional, have looked for me and they are telling us, speak for us. We do not want that center in Nanyuki Air Base because we also live there, we have families there and anything can go wrong. The soldiers are very unhappy but they have no voice.”
The former deputy president announced plans for a public meeting in Laikipia County, arguing that residents had not been adequately consulted on a matter that could directly affect their communities and livelihoods.
“The people of Laikipia have asked us to hold a meeting in Nanyuki to give them an opportunity for public participation so that they can express themselves and so that the American government can know what the people of Laikipia feel. Any decision that can affect people’s lives must involve public participation. The people of Laikipia were not consulted and the people of Kenya were not consulted.”
Gachagua also cited reports concerning the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressing concern about its severity and potential consequences should containment efforts fail.
“I have just seen a report from the World Health Organization this morning saying that this Ebola outbreak that has come in DRC is the type that has no vaccine and you need six months to develop a vaccine. That report is also saying that in case of spread, fifty percent of those infected are not likely to make it. We cannot therefore endanger our country.”
He questioned whether Kenya's healthcare system possesses sufficient capacity to manage such a public health emergency, pointing to longstanding challenges within the sector.
“If America, which is known to have the best healthcare system in the world, is not sure it can handle that outbreak, what about Kenya where we are unable to handle malaria? What about Kenya where we have no equipment to deal with kidney failure? What about Kenya where SHIF is not working? What about Kenya where there are no drugs?”
Gachagua concluded by urging the government to reconsider any plans associated with the facility, insisting that protecting Kenyan lives must remain the highest priority regardless of international considerations.
“If they are that advanced and they lack confidence that they can handle that Ebola, what about our country here? It is a reckless decision and the government must reconsider. We cannot endanger the Kenyan population. We have too many problems already. Protecting the lives of Kenyans must come first.”
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FELIX MAKONA
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