Hundreds of people gathered in Nanyuki, Kenya, to protest a planned United States-supported Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Airbase, which would accommodate people exposed to the virus, including US nationals, during regional outbreak response efforts.
The demonstrations took place days after Kenya’s High Court suspended the project following a legal challenge over public health concerns and transparency surrounding the agreement.
Key developments:
- A proposed 50-bed quarantine unit would be used for people exposed to Ebola who are not showing symptoms.
- Kenya has recorded no Ebola cases, despite outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
- Health Minister Aden Duale said that the agreement was part of a wider push to strengthen emergency response systems, adding that the quarantine centre is intended for “everyone” and not exclusively for US nationals.
- The United States has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness measures.
Protesters expressed concerns about potential health risks, while authorities maintain the project is intended to improve regional outbreak preparedness.
ℹ️ Al Jazeera
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