Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said the government could transform the Laikipia quarantine facility into a Level 6 infectious disease hospital, subject to the outcome of an ongoing court case.

Speaking about the facility during an interview on NTV, Duale said the government was awaiting a green light from the courts before deciding its next course of action.

He said the facility was initially designed to have 50 beds and operate at Level 6, but the government was now considering a more ambitious plan for the site.

“If we get the green light, we might turn it into, working with our American colleagues, maybe the first infectious regional hospital in our region,” Duale said.

The CS said Kenya needs a specialised infectious disease hospital capable of handling major outbreaks, citing the increasing frequency of disease outbreaks in the region.

According to Duale, the country should ultimately establish a Level 6 infectious disease hospital comparable to Kenyatta National Hospital, with a capacity of between 200 and 300 beds.

He said such a facility would be dedicated to managing outbreaks and highly infectious diseases, including Ebola.

“We cannot have something in Machakos, Garissa, no. We must have a Level 6 with 200, 300 beds, and dealing just with outbreaks and infectious diseases like Ebola,” Duale said.

Duale, however, declined to comment extensively on the legal status of the Laikipia facility, noting that the matter is currently before the courts.

He said the government would make a decision on the facility once the court gives the necessary direction.