The County Government of Laikipia has urged the High Court to halt further steps toward the establishment of a proposed Ebola treatment and isolation facility at the Laikipia Air Base.
The County argued that the project threatens the county’s tourism-dependent economy, poses risks to school-going children, and was undertaken without adequate consultation with county authorities.
In a replying affidavit filed, Laikipia County Executive Committee Member for Health Albert Taiti said the National Government selected the county as the site for the facility without meaningful engagement with the devolved administration.
Taiti told the court that the decision violated constitutional principles of cooperative governance and devolution, which require consultation between national and county governments on matters affecting local communities.
The county further warned that the proposed facility has already triggered anxiety among tourists, leading to cancellations in hotels and hospitality establishments in laikipia county.
According to the affidavit, Laikipia’s economy relies heavily on tourism, with the county hosting internationally recognised conservation destinations including Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservatory and Mount Kenya National Park.
The county argued that locating a quarantine and treatment centre for a highly infectious disease within its borders could damage the county’s image as a tourist destination and threaten thousands of livelihoods linked to the sector.
“It is reckless for the Respondents to select Laikipia as the venue for the Ebola Facility well knowing that the county heavily relies on tourism which is a fragile industry,” the affidavit stated.
The county said Laikipia Airbase Primary School and Laikipia Airbase Junior School serve both military and civilian families from neighbouring areas, including Nanyuki, Thingithu and Segera wards.
Taiti argues that the presence of an Ebola isolation and treatment facility within the same operational environment could affect the health, safety and psychological wellbeing of learners.
“That Article 53(2) of the Constitution requires that the best interests of the child shall be of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child,” arguedTaiti.
According to the affidavit, the county’s health infrastructure remains inadequate to effectively respond to an Ebola outbreak should one occur.
Taiti cited the Laikipia County Community Health Strategy 2021-2025, which indicates limited funding for community health services and disease surveillance programmes.
The county contended that despite a population of more than 518,000 residents, available health facilities and frontline community health personnel remain insufficient to manage a major infectious disease emergency.
The affidavit further stated that residents have already staged demonstrations in Nanyuki Town opposing the proposed facility, with some protests disrupting business activities.
Taiti argued that the government has not demonstrated what direct benefits the project would bring to local residents, contributing to public opposition.
While supporting the petition before the court, Laikipia County is specifically seeking orders compelling the government to undertake comprehensive public participation, biosafety assessments and public health risk assessments before proceeding with the project.
The case has been filed against the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Foreign Affairs, and their respective ministries.
Among the interested parties in the proceedings are the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and KELIN Kenya.
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