The Kenyan government has suspended construction of a US-funded Ebola treatment facility in Kisumu, citing regulatory and sovereignty concerns. British health officials have since expressed unease over the decision, warning it could undermine regional preparedness for future outbreaks.
Construction of the centre, supported by the United States Agency for International Development and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was abruptly halted last week. Kenyan health authorities stated that the project required further review under new national health security protocols. The suspension comes amid broader tensions between Nairobi and Washington over the terms of health cooperation.
A senior British public health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the move as “worrying”. They noted that the facility was designed to bolster surveillance and response capabilities for viral haemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola. The official added that coordination between international partners is critical for containing diseases that do not respect borders.
Kenya has not reported an Ebola case since 2022, but the virus has circulated in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The suspended centre was intended to serve as a regional hub for training and laboratory diagnostics. Its cancellation could delay efforts to deploy rapid response teams in the event of an outbreak.
The US embassy in Nairobi declined to comment on the suspension, directing questions to Kenyan authorities. The Kenyan Ministry of Health has not provided a timeline for the review. Local health officials familiar with the project suggested that disputes over data ownership and staffing had contributed to the decision.
The United Kingdom has invested heavily in health security across East Africa, including through the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team. British experts fear that the suspension may create a vacuum that could be exploited by non-state actors offering alternative, less transparent forms of health assistance.
Analysts say the incident reflects a broader recalibration of Kenya’s foreign policy under President William Ruto, who has sought to diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. The government has recently signed health agreements with China and the United Arab Emirates, signalling a shift in its engagement with global health initiatives.
The World Health Organization has called for dialogue between Kenya and the US to resolve the impasse. Meanwhile, British officials continue to monitor the situation, stressing that the integrity of the global health security network depends on mutual trust and cooperation.
