Kenya Protests Mount Over Planned US-Backed Ebola Quarantine Facility

Hundreds of residents in central Kenya have staged protests against a proposed Ebola quarantine centre that would be established at a military base in Laikipia County to host United States nationals exposed to the virus.

Demonstrations took place on Monday in Nanyuki town, near the Laikipia Air Base, where the facility is planned. Protesters blocked roads, lit barricades, and called for the project to be cancelled, citing fears of possible infection and concerns about safety in a densely connected military and civilian community.

The planned 50-bed isolation unit is intended for asymptomatic US citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola, according to US officials. The move has sparked widespread concern in Kenya, which has not recorded any Ebola cases despite an ongoing outbreak in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda that has already claimed over 200 lives.

Tensions around the project increased after Kenya’s High Court temporarily suspended the plan last week, following a legal challenge arguing that the agreement was not transparent and could pose risks to public health given the country’s healthcare capacity.

Despite the court order, reports indicate continued movement of military aircraft in and out of the base over the weekend, raising questions about whether preparations were still ongoing.

Kenyan authorities have defended the broader agreement, stating it is part of efforts to strengthen emergency response systems. Health officials have also suggested the facility would not be limited to US citizens, but part of wider preparedness cooperation.

However, local residents remain strongly opposed. Protest leaders argue that hosting a quarantine centre in a small town where civilians and military personnel interact closely could expose the community to unnecessary risk.

Community representatives say they want the project completely withdrawn, insisting that any Ebola treatment or isolation facilities should be located in countries currently affected by the outbreak rather than in Kenya.

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