Alupe Sub-County Referral Hospital in Busia County has been linked to plans by the government to use it as an Ebola quarantine and holding facility, according to claims raised in Parliament.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase Otucho told the National Assembly that officials from the Ministry of Health recently visited the Level Four hospital and held discussions with staff about the possibility of using the facility to manage Ebola cases.
Her remarks were made during a parliamentary session where Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale appeared before lawmakers to address questions on the country’s Ebola preparedness strategy.
Emaase said the reported visit involved consultations on whether Alupe Hospital could be adapted into a holding centre in the event of an Ebola outbreak.
She argued that the facility is already heavily relied on by residents of Busia County and surrounding areas, and any change in its role could disrupt access to essential healthcare services.
The MP strongly opposed the idea, warning that converting the hospital into an Ebola isolation facility could create fear among the public and reduce trust in the institution.
She maintained that even discussions around such a conversion risk discouraging patients from seeking treatment there, which could strain other health facilities in the region.
During the same parliamentary session, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reportedly confirmed that Alupe Sub-County Referral Hospital is part of the government’s Ebola preparedness plan. He stated that it is among several facilities identified as potential holding centres if an outbreak occurs.
Duale added that the government is developing a network of quarantine and isolation centres across the country, with about 23 facilities planned to strengthen response capacity. He said the aim is to ensure Kenya is better prepared to manage any Ebola-related emergency, especially given the risk of outbreaks in the region.
The clarification comes amid growing public debate over Kenya’s Ebola preparedness measures, with concerns being raised by political leaders, civil society organisations, and local communities about the selection and management of designated facilities.
Some of the controversy has also been linked to proposed sites such as the Laikipia Air Base facility, which has faced public protests and legal challenges over its intended use.
