A planned United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya has triggered protests and public anger, with many residents fearing it could expose the country to dangerous disease outbreaks.
The proposed 50-bed facility is expected to be built at the Laikipia Air Base near the town of Nanyuki. According to reports, it would be used to quarantine Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Many Kenyans are worried that bringing potentially infected people into the country could increase the risk of Ebola spreading, even though Kenya currently has no confirmed Ebola outbreak.
Some protesters questioned why the United States could not manage exposed citizens within its own territory instead of transferring them to an African country. Others described the move as disrespectful and unfair toward African nations.
Medical groups and civil society organizations have also criticized the agreement, saying the government failed to provide enough transparency or public consultation before approving the project.
A Kenyan court has temporarily suspended work on the facility and ordered the government to release details of any agreements made with the United States regarding the project.
Protests in Nanyuki reportedly turned violent, with local reports saying at least two people were killed during clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Kenyan President William Ruto defended the project, arguing that the facility would strengthen the country’s public health preparedness and emergency response systems.
However, critics insist that Kenya should not become a quarantine center for foreign patients and continue to demand that the project be canceled.