Kenyan police fired teargas Tuesday on protesters in Nanyuki who oppose a new 50-bed quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola. The site is being built by the U.S. military inside Laikipia Air Base.
Demonstrators say the Ruto administration is prioritizing U.S. interests over Kenyan health needs. They’re angry the project is moving forward despite two High Court injunctions blocking construction. The court had ordered the government to disclose all secret agreements with Washington by Monday. That deadline passed with no compliance.
Witnesses said officers arrested at least six protesters near the airbase. One carried a white cross reading “Respect Ebola”. At least two people were killed by security forces during protests last week.
Bethwel Onyango, 24, told Reuters: “We don’t have Ebola here. Why build a facility for it when hospitals lack basic drugs?”
The facility is meant for asymptomatic Americans exposed during the current outbreak in eastern DRC and Uganda, which has recorded 500+ cases and 100+ deaths. U.S. officials say no symptomatic patients will be sent. The Trump administration says it “cannot and will not allow” Ebola cases into the U.S. – a shift from 2014-2016, when infected Americans were flown home for treatment.
Flight tracking data and diplomatic sources say U.S. military planes are still landing at Laikipia with personnel and equipment. More arrivals are scheduled this week, defying the court orders.
President Ruto defended the project last week, saying the government is doing “the right thing.” Protesters call it proof that Africa is being used as a dumping ground for biological risk.
