Hundreds of young individuals in Nanyuki, central Kenya, protested against plans to establish an Ebola quarantine center for U.S. citizens exposed to the virus at nearby Laikipia Air Base. These demonstrations occurred on Monday, shortly after Kenya’s High Court suspended the formation of the facility and the reception of any foreign patients pending a legal challenge from the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog. Both organizations contend that Kenya’s fragile health system is inadequate to handle foreign Ebola patients. U.S. officials confirmed plans to use the center at Laikipia Air Base to isolate Americans exposed to Ebola abroad, with operations set to begin with 50 quarantine beds by Friday. Health Minister Aden Duale stated that the center would cater to “everyone,” not solely U.S. nationals. In response to local opposition, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu expressed concerns that the facility could potentially expose residents to the virus, especially given that many locals work at the airbase. Although Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases, its neighbor Uganda has identified nine, leading to the closure of borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has recorded at least 263 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists.
Original Tweet: [source_url]
Hashtags: #Protest #Kenyas #planned #Ebola #quarantine #centre
