Atleast two people have been shot dead in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki amid protests against US plans to establish an Ebola isolation centre at a military base nearby.
The United States intended to commit $𝟏𝟑.𝟓 million toward Kenya’s overall Ebola preparedness efforts, which included a proposed 50-bed isolation and quarantine facility for Americans exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
$𝟏𝟑.𝟓 million toward Kenya’s overall Ebola preparedness efforts, which included a proposed 50-bed isolation and quarantine facility for Americans exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of the CongoThe $13.5million pledge was part of a larger US-Kenyan global health cooperation that includes the United States allocating $1.7 billion toward Kenya’s broader health systems from 2026 to 2030. The US government also committed over $162 million to direct response and $50 million for up to 50 response clinics across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators marched through the town’s streets, blocking roads and burning tyres, with police firing tear gas to disperse them.
Last Friday, the High Court said the opening of the centre should be halted after a rights group opened a case alleging the facility posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health.
Speaking for the first time about the issue on Monday evening, President William Ruto defended the plan saying that Kenya had “deployed every arsenal” to protect the country.
He told journalists that the US government had requested Kenyan support in dealing with the virus, which he had promptly accepted, describing it as a “mutual agreement”.
“When President [Donald] Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase I gave the ok because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years,” he said.
He called on Kenyans not to politicise a matter “so serious” as Ebola, asking politicians to avoid “reckless” talk about it.
The High Court on Tuesday extended the suspension, ordering the government to disclose the details of the proposed Ebola facility.
Military aircraft have been seen flying in and out of the airbase in what experts say is ongoing preparation despite the court order.
Kenya’s doctors’ union and government watchdogs have opposed the plan saying it risks exposing local populations.
“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” he added.
