Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has defended reports that Kenya could host a regional Ebola screening and quarantine facility, arguing that the country should view the proposal as an opportunity rather than a threat.
His remarks come amid a heated national debate sparked by reports that the United States is exploring plans to establish a facility in Kenya for people exposed to Ebola in Central Africa.
While critics, including former Speaker Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, have questioned why Kenya should host such a centre, Cherargei believes the country stands to benefit if the plan materialises.
According to the senator, Kenya’s strategic location makes it vulnerable to Ebola outbreaks regardless of whether a quarantine facility is established.
“Kenya is alongside other countries exposed to Ebola in our region. We must be prepared to prevent infections that might cost lives,” Cherargei said.
He noted that Kenya sits along a major transport and trade corridor linking the Port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing the need for strong surveillance, screening and emergency response systems.
Rather than opposing the proposal, Cherargei says Kenya should seize the opportunity to strengthen its healthcare system, create jobs and position itself as a regional leader in disease control and medical research.
“If the United States and other partners want to establish a regional screening and quarantine centre, so be it. It will allow Kenya to become an excellent regional centre for communicable disease management while creating jobs and advancing medicine,” he added.
The senator also referenced a past proposal by the World Health Organization to establish a regional medical facility at Kenyatta University, claiming political resistance prevented the project from taking off.
His comments now place him among the first senior government allied politicians to publicly support the controversial proposal.
The remarks are likely to fuel further debate as pressure mounts on the government to clarify whether discussions with Washington are indeed taking place and what role Kenya could play in any regional Ebola response framework.
For now, the issue has evolved from a public health discussion into a political contest, with leaders sharply divided over whether the proposal represents a health risk or a strategic opportunity for Kenya.