The leaders, led by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, questioned why the government had allegedly failed to openly communicate details surrounding the controversial proposal to residents and the wider public.
In a joint statement released on Friday, May 29, the lawmakers said they were deeply concerned by reports linking Laikipia County to the planned Ebola-related facility.
Others who joined the statement included Jane Kagiri, Sarah Korere and Wachira Karani.
The leaders maintained that while they support international cooperation in combating dangerous disease outbreaks, the government still owes Kenyans clear explanations regarding the plan.
“Our collective conscience is greatly disturbed by the news that there is an intention by the Government of Kenya to have an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Laikipia County,” the statement read in part.
The lawmakers questioned why Laikipia had allegedly been selected as the preferred location for the facility, saying residents deserved transparency on matters touching public health and national safety.
They also raised concerns about why the United States would seek to quarantine affected citizens outside its borders instead of establishing treatment facilities within America itself.
According to the MPs, if the outbreak originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, then it would make more sense for advanced treatment centres to be established closer to the source of the outbreak for faster containment and management.
The leaders further argued that the United States possesses enough financial and technological capacity to support a modern response facility directly in affected regions instead of relocating the matter to Kenya.
“We have serious concerns and questions that need to be answered before any move is taken,” the lawmakers stated.
The controversy comes amid growing public anxiety over reports that Kenya could host Ebola quarantine and isolation centres under a bilateral arrangement with the United States government.
The debate intensified after reports emerged suggesting American public health teams could be deployed to Kenya as part of regional Ebola response operations.
The issue has since triggered strong political reactions, court battles and widespread criticism from sections of leaders and civil society groups.
On Thursday, the High Court temporarily blocked the Kenyan government from facilitating the entry of Ebola-infected or exposed persons into the country pending the hearing of a petition filed by the Katiba Institute.
The court also halted plans linked to the establishment of Ebola quarantine, treatment or isolation facilities associated with foreign governments until the matter is fully determined.
Meanwhile, the Laikipia leaders urged residents to remain calm as they await official clarification from the national government.
They insisted that protecting the safety of Kenyans must remain the top priority as concerns continue growing over the reported proposal.
0 Comments