No Evidence Tanzanian President Offered to Host Proposed Ebola Facility

Social media platforms are buzzing with claims that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan offered to host a controversial US-linked Ebola quarantine facility. The posts, circulating in early June 2026 on Facebook and TikTok, suggest Tanzania would welcome the facility if Kenya refused it. Some posts even feature a Kiswahili quote attributed to Hassan, while others use graphics mimicking news reports with headlines like "Bring Ebola Centre to Tanzania, We can Host It ~ Samia Suluhu."

This narrative surfaced as a proposed US-backed Ebola facility in Kenya's Laikipia Air Base faced significant backlash. Reports indicated an agreement between the US and Kenyan governments to establish a 50-bed facility to quarantine US citizens exposed to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The plan ignited fierce opposition from Kenyan residents, politicians, and activists concerned about public health risks, transparency, and the lack of public input. Protests in Nanyuki led to at least three deaths, and Kenya's high court suspended the project pending a legal challenge. Despite this, US military flights have reportedly continued delivering equipment and personnel.

The Bundibugyo strain's lack of an approved vaccine or specific treatment heightens concerns about its unpredictable regional spread. It is within this tense context that the social media posts about Tanzania's alleged offer began circulating. However, a thorough check revealed no evidence to support these claims. Neither President Hassan nor her government has made any such statement, nor has it been reported by any credible media outlets in Tanzania, Kenya, or internationally. The social media posts themselves lack any verifiable source, such as a speech, interview, or official statement, which is a common characteristic of misinformation.