Hundreds of protesters marched in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Monday to oppose plans to establish an Ebola quarantine center at the nearby Laikipia Air Base. The facility was intended to house U.S. citizens who may have been exposed to the virus while abroad.
The demonstrations came days after Kenya’s High Court temporarily suspended the project and blocked the arrival of any foreign patients pending a legal review. The case was brought by civil society groups that argued the country’s healthcare system could face additional strain from hosting Ebola-related facilities.
Local leaders and residents have voiced concerns that the center could expose nearby communities to health risks, despite government assurances that strict safety measures would be in place. Protesters called for the project to be canceled and questioned why Kenya was chosen as the location.
Kenya’s government has defended the initiative, saying the facility is part of broader preparedness efforts against Ebola and would not be reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens. Washington has also pledged financial support to strengthen Kenya’s response capacity and disease surveillance systems.
The controversy highlights the challenges governments face when balancing international health cooperation with local public concerns. While Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases, neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are dealing with outbreaks, keeping regional health authorities on high alert.