Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticised President William Ruto’s administration over its handling of Kenya’s proposed involvement in Ebola-related quarantine arrangements, questioning why the government is now distancing itself from an arrangement it previously defended.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Maraga took issue with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s announcement that Kenya would not allow foreign governments to use its territory as a quarantine destination for travellers required to undergo isolation before entering their countries.

Maraga described the government’s latest position as contradictory, arguing that it differed sharply from its earlier response to public concerns surrounding the proposed arrangement.

The former Chief Justice argued that the government’s position raised questions about its earlier decision to support the establishment of a quarantine facility in Laikipia, which attracted public opposition.

According to Maraga, the proposed arrangement sparked demonstrations in Laikipia approximately five months ago, with residents and other Kenyans expressing concerns about national sovereignty, public health and the country’s involvement in arrangements serving foreign governments.

He claimed that the protests were met with police force, resulting in the deaths of two young Kenyans who had participated in the demonstrations.

Maraga further accused the government of disregarding public concerns at the time, arguing that the administration had defended the agreement despite opposition from sections of the public and legal challenges.

He questioned why the government had taken so long to adopt a position that appeared to address the concerns raised by protesters.

“If serving as a quarantine hub had ‘no basis in International Health Regulations’, why was it signed, defended and enforced with police violence in the first place?” Maraga posed.

He also challenged the administration to address the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the protesters, insisting that the government should not distance itself from the controversial arrangement without accounting for its earlier actions.

The former Chief Justice’s remarks came a day after Duale announced that Kenya would not accommodate foreign travellers seeking to complete quarantine requirements imposed by their respective countries.

The CS maintained that the Ministry of Health would not provide documents certifying quarantine completion or Ebola-free status for international travel.

Duale’s announcement followed the discharge of Kenya’s last Ebola patient on November 11, alongside the release of the final 11 individuals who had been undergoing monitoring.

The country commenced a mandatory 42-day surveillance period on November 12, with the Ministry of Health projecting December 23, 2026, as the date Kenya could be declared Ebola-free, provided no additional infections are detected.

However, Duale declined to provide details about the future of the Laikipia isolation facility, explaining that the matter was already before the courts.

Maraga concluded his statement by accusing the President of placing foreign interests above the concerns of Kenyan citizens, arguing that the administration needed to account for its handling of the controversial quarantine arrangement.