Opposition to Trump, Ruto Ebola deal grows

Workers from the Uganda Red Cross Society sprayed with disinfectant during the evacuation of the body of a suspected Ebola victim in Kampala, May 26, 2026. [AFP]

There are growing calls for the Kenyan government to strengthen measures to protect citizens against Ebola, just as the United States has taken a firm position on the matter.

The calls follow reports of an agreement between the Kenyan and US governments to set up an Ebola isolation and treatment facility in Kenya.

Ironically, as the US plans to set up a centre in Kenya, it remains protective of its citizens, saying the country shall not allow a spill of Ebola into the country.

In an interview with an international media outlet, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the top priority of US foreign policy is to protect the American people.

On this, Rubio emphasised that the US is working with partners to ensure the disease does not enter the country.

“We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the US,” said the top US state official.

US President Trump speaks alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, May 27, 2026. [AFP]

The sentiments raised an uproar among Kenyans, leaders and experts, questioning why the facility should be set up in Kenya.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) opposed plans to have Kenya set up an Ebola isolation and treatment facility for Americans acquiring the virus.

In response to the US stance of keeping the virus out of the country, LSK President Charles Kanjama said instead of setting up a facility, the Kenyan Government should avoid a spill of any case to its borders.

“We equally want to see the Kenyan government take robust measures to avoid cases of Ebola from entering Kenya,” said Kanjama.

The measures, according to the LSK boss, include declining the request by the US Government to set up an Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenya, where Ebola patients from other countries will be flown in.

“Since Ebola patients deserve access to the highest standard of medical care, we owe them human solidarity even as we protect the healthy population. Public health dictates that the medical treatment facility and treatment isolation protocols be set up near the common epicentre of the infection. That is either in Eastern Congo or Western Uganda.

“Speaking firmly in a broad-based arrangement. I oppose the establishment of such a facility in Kenya,” said Millie Odhiambo on her social media.

The Suba North MP maintained that the Kenyan government must prioritise the well-being of its citizens.

“Kenya must prioritise the well-being of Kenyans. We must emulate America and put Kenyans first,” said the MP.

Beatrice Kairu, a health and policy specialist, said, “If the US won’t allow these cases into the US because of security, cost, and political risk, why is it reasonable to push that exact risk onto Kenya?”

She added, “You can’t argue it is too dangerous for Americans, and simultaneously say it is fine for Kenyans.”

According to the expert, if the US wants the centre, the burden of proof is on Washington to show why Kenya should take a risk Americans won’t.

The US, she added, should also explain what Kenya gets that fixes hospitals and schools, not just security contracts, and how Kenya gets out of the arrangement, if an outbreak is reported.

“Kenya shouldn’t agree. Let the US solve its border problem in the US, or pay a price in Kenya that actually offsets the cost to Kenyans,” added Kairu. 

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako referred to the sentiments by the top U.S official as ‘alarming’

“Kenya does not have Ebola, so what do they want to contain? It could be a biological warfare being planned against people,” said Panyako.

On her part, Sue Kuria questioned whether Kenya and other countries can be quarantined in the US if suspected of Ebola.

“Just like it was during the Covid-10 crisis, every country is to quarantine in their own country,” said Kuria.

Earlier, the US is reported to have approached the Ugandan Government to set up an Ebola isolation and treatment centre.

In an interview with the BBC, the Ugandan Permanent Secretary (PS) for Health, Diana Atwine Kanzira, said Uganda was more willing to get into collaboration for setting up an Ebola isolation and treatment.

Kanzira said the US Government approached the Ugandan Government, but the agreement was not negotiated because the Ugandan government was busy setting up internal systems.

“We had offered, but I think they are still assessing where they can establish,” said the official.

She added, “We are always open, and we have been treating Ebola patients. So if they come to us, we will open our facility and take care of them”.

The official said Ebola and other infectious diseases are a global concern, and that no one is safe until everyone is safe.

“If the problem is in Africa, then we must deal with it in Africa. We are, however, not just working alone; we are also working with partners, who have been supporting us in setting up the lab. I do not think there is a problem working with them when they have a challenge, especially if they have nationals who are exposed in Africa. No problem with that,” she added.

Bundibugyo has recorded at least 246 suspected deaths and more than 1,000 suspected deaths, according to the Africa CDC.

Yesterday, the Africa CDC listed Somalia alongside 10 countries at high risk of Ebola.

Speaking during the Ebola briefing, Afria CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya said Somalia and high-risk countries will be supported in preparedness for controlling a spill of Ebola.

“We have started to conduct active surveillance and know contact people who can be tested. We are still in the active phase of the outbreak,” said Kaseya.

Kenyan Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, confirmed that Kenya has not reported any cases.

Oluga said Kenya has a strong healthcare response system, and is strong in case management and infectious disease.

This includes hospital preparedness, the highest isolation capacity, and diagnostic tools that have been built over time, since the COVID-19 pandemic was reported.

At least 2,200 health professionals have also been trained on Ebola preparedness and management.

“Kenya has been at the forefront in pandemic response. In 2015, Kenya was required to send 157 experts to help Siera Leon to contain and tackle Ebola from 2014 to 2016,” said Oluga.

Kenya’s KEMRI laboratory, he added, is highly equipped for diagnostics.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the Bundibugyo Ebola strain has outpaced the world’s response.

So far, the Bundibugyo strain circulating in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is reported to have caused 223 suspected deaths and more than 1,000 cases.

Yesterday, WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus travelled to Ituri Province, epicentre of the virus. 

“On my way to DRC. Ebola is back. Ituri province is bearing the brunt. I will be on the ground with our WHO teams, partners, and extraordinary health workers who have never stopped fighting, all working under the leadership of the Government of DRC,” Tedros said on his socials.

He regretted that DRC had been defeated with Ebola 16 times, and that the 17th time would be no different.

He added that Eastern DRC now faces a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict in Ituri province, outpacing the response.

The Ebola Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Because of a lack of vaccines and medicine, stopping transmission of the strain depends entirely on humanitarian access, said Tedros.

The spread of the strain is also attributed to conflict in the provinces of Ituri and Kivu.

“Ongoing clashes are driving mass displacement, pushing exposed contacts into overcrowded camps and severing critical containment corridors,” said Tedros. 

At the same time, Tedros applauded healthcare workers, who are at the forefront of fighting the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the DRC.

The workers, he said, are risking making tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible.

“We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” said Tedros.