Hundreds of young demonstrators gathered Monday outside Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, central Kenya, to protest plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility intended to accommodate American citizens exposed to the virus.
The demonstrations took place two days after Kenya’s High Court temporarily halted the project and blocked the arrival of any foreign patients while a legal challenge proceeds. The case was brought by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional oversight group.
The petitioners argued that Kenya’s healthcare system is not adequately equipped to manage foreign Ebola cases and raised concerns about the potential strain on public health resources.
According to US officials speaking anonymously on Thursday, the United States planned to transfer Americans exposed to Ebola overseas to a newly established facility in Kenya rather than transporting them back to the US. The proposed center at Laikipia Air Base was expected to open with capacity for 50 quarantine beds.
On Monday, protesters marched to the base entrance carrying signs and chanting slogans opposing the initiative.
Health Minister Aden Duale stated Sunday that the facility would serve all eligible individuals and would not be limited to US nationals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States plans to provide $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.
Local officials, including Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, also voiced opposition to the proposal. Irungu warned that many local residents are employed at the air base and expressed concern that the facility could increase exposure risks.
Kenya has not reported any Ebola infections. However, neighboring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and has closed its border with Congo.
Authorities in Congo have reported at least 282 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 1,000 suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved treatment or vaccine.
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