Ruto: US Ebola facility in Kenya is ‘right thing’ 

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Thursday that his government was doing the right thing by allowing the United States to set up an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, despite a court order blocking the project.

Satellite imagery seen by Reuters shows the US is moving ahead rapidly with the tented facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, central Kenya. The facility is due to host a 50‑bed unit for Americans who might be exposed to the Ebola virus. The outbreak has infected hundreds in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to neighbouring Uganda, which has reported 16 cases.

Speaking at a press conference during a state visit to South Africa, Ruto said: “I can tell you without fear of any contradiction, and I can look at everybody in the eye, and tell you we are doing the right thing.” He added that it would be unfortunate to refuse the US request for a facility at its own cost.

Since May 27, about 11 acres of land within the base have been cleared, and by June 4, a collection of connected white tents had been erected. Further structures and earth‑moving equipment are visible. On Thursday, more flights landed at the base with people and heavy equipment on board, an eyewitness told Reuters.

At least two people were killed earlier this week in protests against the facility in Nanyuki. A Kenyan court first ordered work on the facility suspended on May 28. The US embassy in Nairobi has said it is working with Kenyan authorities to resolve objections.

SOURCE: Reuters