Duale Confirms Busia's Alupe Hospital Will Be Used as Ebola Holding Facility, Dismisses Need for Public Participation

Fresh controversy has emerged over the government's Ebola preparedness strategy after Teso South MP Mary Emaase Otucho alleged that authorities are planning to convert Alupe Sub-County Referral Hospital into an Ebola quarantine and holding facility.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Emaase claimed that senior officials from the Ministry of Health had recently visited the Level Four hospital in Busia County and engaged staff on the possibility of using the facility to accommodate Ebola patients.

The legislator raised the matter during a parliamentary session in which Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had been summoned to address concerns surrounding the controversial Ebola quarantine facility proposed in Laikipia County.

Emaase argued that Alupe Hospital plays a critical role in providing healthcare services to residents of Busia County and neighbouring regions and should not be transformed into an Ebola isolation centre.

She told lawmakers that she would strongly oppose any attempts to convert the hospital into a facility for handling Ebola patients, warning that such a move could undermine public confidence in the institution and affect access to healthcare services.

"I have information that senior Ministry of Health officials visited the facility and sought views on whether it could be used as a holding centre for Ebola patients," the MP told Parliament.

In response, Duale reportedly confirmed that Alupe Hospital forms part of the government's Ebola preparedness infrastructure and would serve as one of the country's designated Ebola holding facilities if required.

The Health CS further stated that the proposed Ebola facility in Laikipia is among 23 quarantine and isolation centres that the government is establishing nationwide to strengthen its response capacity in the event of an outbreak.

Duale maintained that the government's preparedness plans aim to protect public health and ensure Kenya can respond effectively to any Ebola-related emergency, particularly given ongoing outbreaks in parts of the region.

The revelation comes amid growing public debate and legal challenges over Kenya's Ebola preparedness programme, with concerns being raised by leaders, civil society groups, and local communities over the location and management of the proposed facilities.

The issue has become increasingly contentious following nationwide scrutiny of plans to establish additional Ebola quarantine centres, including the proposed facility at Laikipia Air Base, which has sparked protests and court action.