WAJIR, Kenya — Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed late Monday that he personally authorized the establishment of a controversial U.S. Ebola quarantine facility following a direct request from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Wajir, Ruto defended the bilateral agreement as an extension of a decades-long public health partnership with Washington. The comments mark the first time the Kenyan president has publicly acknowledged his direct role in the deal, which has triggered widespread domestic protests and a high court suspension.
Ruto justified the decision, citing a long-standing partnership with the U.S. and likening it to existing health initiatives. The confirmation followed protests in Nanyuki, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds concerned about biological risks, despite no active Ebola cases in the country.
Ruto’s comments bypass a temporary high court order, sought by the Katiba Institute over alleged procedural failures, that halted the site’s operations. While the U.S. State Department seeks a resolution, a full hearing is scheduled for today.
