Kenya’s president defends US-backed Ebola centre after protests

President William Ruto has defended a planned Ebola quarantine facility at a military air base in central Kenya, saying it is part of a national preparedness strategy and a longstanding health partnership with the United States.

Kenya approved a US request last week to set up the centre at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki. The facility would be used for Americans exposed to Ebola. Ruto said President Donald Trump asked for Kenya’s support, and he agreed based on decades of cooperation on health programmes.

Residents of Nanyuki protested on Monday against the plan. They said they were afraid the centre could bring Ebola into their community and questioned why Kenya should host such a facility for US citizens. The protest followed legal action seeking to stop the project.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the issue, Ruto said the centre was similar to others already operating across Kenya. He said the country has prepared isolation and treatment facilities in 23 counties, and that the new centre would serve Kenyans as well as foreign partners if needed.

A court suspended the plan last week after a lawsuit argued it could endanger public health. Ruto did not mention the court order.

Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases. The country is screening about 3,000 people daily at the borders.

SOURCE: AFP