Kenya Youth Protest US Ebola Quarantine Center Plan

Hundreds of youths marched to Kenya’s Laikipia Air Base on Monday to protest against plans to establish an Ebola quarantine centre for American citizens exposed to the virus. The demonstration took place in the central town of Nanyuki, two days after Kenya’s High Court suspended the establishment of the facility and halted the arrival of any foreign patients pending the hearing of a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog, AP reported. The petitioners argued that Kenya’s healthcare system remains too fragile to accommodate foreign Ebola patients. The court order came after reports that the United States planned to send Americans exposed to Ebola abroad to a new quarantine facility in Kenya instead of transporting them back to the US. According to US officials, the facility was to be located at Laikipia Air Base and was expected to become operational with 50 quarantine beds. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity while discussing the administration’s plans. On Monday, protesters marched to the gates of the air base, chanting anti-Ebola slogans and opposing the proposed facility. Kenya’s health minister, Aden Duale, said on Sunday that the quarantine centre was intended for “everyone” and was not being established exclusively for US nationals. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington plans to contribute $13.5 million towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts. The proposal has also faced opposition from local leaders. Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu said he opposed the establishment of the quarantine centre, warning that it could expose local residents to the virus. “This will expose our people to Ebola,” he said, adding that many residents work inside the air base and could face potential exposure. Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases. However, neighbouring Uganda has reported nine cases and has closed its border with Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the report, at least 282 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 1,000 suspected cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus have been reported in Congo. The current strain has no approved treatment or vaccine.