Sifuna Accuses Government Of Defying Court Orders Over Ebola Facility
News Updated: 03 June 2026 15:58 EAT
Nairobi Senator Hon. Edwin Sifuna speaking during the Senate Session today
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna launched a sharp attack on the government during Senate proceedings, accusing state agencies of failing to protect Kenyans and disregarding court orders concerning the controversial Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. The senator argued that the Constitution places an absolute responsibility on the State to safeguard life and property, saying that duty cannot be delegated or ignored regardless of circumstances.
"The constitution of this country guarantees every single person the right to life and the right to equal protection of the law. The responsibility to protect life and property in this country will never shift from the state," Sifuna told the Senate as he began his contribution to the debate.
The Nairobi senator rejected claims made earlier in the debate that Kenyans had stopped caring about the welfare of children affected by insecurity and tragedy. He maintained that ordinary citizens continue to care deeply about the safety of children, but government institutions have failed to provide adequate protection in the face of increasing cases of disappearances, killings and school-related disasters.
"It cannot be true that Kenyans have somehow stopped caring about the children. It is the responsibility of government to make sure that our children are safe. We used to be taken care of by both the state and by the people themselves," he said.
Sifuna drew on a recent church service he attended in Machakos, where a sermon referenced Proverbs 29:2. He said the biblical message resonated with many Kenyans who feel overwhelmed by recurring national tragedies and growing insecurity. According to the senator, public grief has become widespread as families continue to confront painful incidents involving children and vulnerable citizens.
"The Reverend read to us Proverbs 29:2, which says that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Sometimes my faith is tested. I had to ask if God really listens to the tears of Kenyans because people are crying all over this country," Sifuna stated.
The senator painted a grim picture of the country's security situation, saying Kenyans were being forced to mourn repeatedly due to incidents involving missing children, murders and deadly school fires. He argued that the pattern of tragedies reflected broader failures within institutions responsible for public safety.
"If it is not missing children, it is murdered children. If it’s not murdered children, it is children being burnt in dormitories in our schools. The country is mourning all over the place," he said during the emotional address.
Sifuna also criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of focusing on political surveillance instead of confronting criminal activity. The senator referred to previous remarks by the Cabinet Secretary regarding state surveillance capabilities and questioned why those resources were not being used to track dangerous criminals and rescue missing children.
"He is on record saying that the entire state surveillance has been tied to political leaders in this country and that he knows where Sifuna sleeps and what time I go to sleep. That surveillance should be turned toward dealing with these criminals," he argued.
The senator questioned the effectiveness of security agencies, saying it was difficult to understand how authorities could monitor political figures while struggling to locate children who disappear before later being found dead. He challenged the government to explain the apparent contradiction between extensive surveillance claims and persistent failures in crime prevention.
"How is it possible that they follow us around but they cannot track and find these children who have been taken before they are murdered?" he asked.
Sifuna further referred to a recent international media documentary that allegedly highlighted misuse of surveillance systems and cooperation from some telecommunications providers. He claimed such practices had enabled politically motivated targeting of individuals and called for greater accountability regarding the use of state intelligence resources.
"I saw a documentary from Al Jazeera confirming what many have been saying, that state surveillance and even the connivance of some mobile service providers are being used to give away locations of people who they disagree with politically so that they can be abducted," he told senators.
Turning to the Ebola facility controversy, Sifuna argued that the issue represented a broader erosion of respect for the rule of law. He said court orders must be obeyed by all institutions and warned that selective compliance with judicial decisions undermines constitutional governance.
"This is why we are saying we want to revert to the values in our Constitution. The rule of law starts with respect for court orders," he said.
The Nairobi senator specifically alleged that despite a court order suspending the Ebola project, activities connected to the facility were continuing at Laikipia Air Base. He claimed reports indicated movement and operations at the site even after judicial intervention.
"Even after our courts have said you put a hold to that project until we are able to give proper answers to Kenyans, our government doesn't care. They are going on with the project. Reports are showing that activity is going on there," Sifuna alleged.
His remarks immediately triggered a point of order from Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who challenged the claims and demanded evidence. Methu questioned whether it was proper for a senator to make allegations regarding a protected military installation without substantiating them before the House.
"Is it in order for the Senator of Nairobi to allege that operations within Nanyuki military air base are ongoing? Can he table the evidence to show that what he is alleging is true?" Methu asked.
Responding to the challenge, Sifuna insisted that the existence of a court order was not in dispute and maintained that credible reports pointed to continued activity at the facility. He further claimed that American military aircraft had reportedly landed at the base and expressed willingness to present supporting evidence.
"It is a fact that there is a court order. It is a fact that activity has been reported, including military aircraft from the United States having landed at this facility, and I can bring those videos," he said.
The senator appealed to the Senate leadership to allow audiovisual evidence to be presented in the chamber, arguing that modern technology should be used to verify contested claims just as it has been during impeachment proceedings involving governors.
"I want to beseech this House that just the way we play videos during impeachment proceedings, you allow us to play those videos here so that it is not just one person sitting in an office saying that I was unable to substantiate my allegations," Sifuna stated.
The presiding chair subsequently directed the senator to return with evidence and granted him additional time to substantiate his claims. The ruling effectively postponed determination of the matter while allowing Sifuna an opportunity to formally present supporting material before the Senate.
"I will give you up to tomorrow. You may now proceed to conclude and make arrangements for me to see the evidence," the Speaker directed.
Before concluding, Sifuna warned against what he described as frivolous objections designed to distract from serious national concerns. He insisted that the Senate had a duty to confront difficult questions surrounding security, governance and adherence to court orders.
"As a member of this House, we are tired of these frivolous points of order and yet he knows what the situation in this country is," Sifuna remarked.
The debate later shifted to infrastructure development after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei rose to support a separate statement concerning the Mombasa-Malindi road. Cherargei praised ongoing government projects and defended President William Ruto's administration, saying major infrastructure works across the country demonstrated the government's commitment to development.
"This is the regime that will take Kenya to Singapore. The journey to Singapore will remain unstoppable and we need roads that will ensure development reaches every part of this country," Cherargei told the Senate as the discussion moved away from the Ebola controversy.
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