NAIROBI — Hundreds of young Kenyans took to the streets in Nanyuki on Monday, opposing the establishment of an Ebola quarantine center for American citizens at the Laikipia Air Base. The protest came just two days after Kenya's High Court suspended the facility's operations amid a legal challenge from the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog group.
The demonstrators marched to the base gates, chanting anti-Ebola slogans and demanding the removal of the facility. Local anger has been fueled by fears that hosting foreign patients could strain Kenya's already fragile healthcare system and expose communities to the virus, despite no confirmed cases in the country.
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale attempted to defuse tensions on Sunday, stating that the quarantine center would serve "everyone" and not exclusively U.S. nationals. However, Governor Joshua Irungu of Laikipia County voiced strong opposition, telling journalists, "This will expose our people to Ebola," noting that many locals work inside the air base and could be at risk.
The U.S. administration had announced plans last week to fly Americans exposed to Ebola abroad to the Laikipia facility, rather than bringing them home. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the center would have 50 quarantine beds and be operational by Friday. The U.S. has also pledged $13.5 million to Kenya's Ebola preparedness efforts, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, but neighboring Uganda has reported nine, leading to border closures with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. At least 282 confirmed cases and over 1,000 suspected cases have been reported in Congo, raising concerns about regional spread.
Resident Malin Ndegwa captured the sentiment of many protesters: "Why are they not doing it in the DRC? Why are they not doing it in Uganda? Why must they bring it here? We categorically, no negotiations, no public participation, we want nothing. We want that facility taken out of our town, we want it taken out of Kenya."
The protests highlight growing tensions over the U.S. approach to containing the outbreak, which some experts have criticized as an isolationist shift. The Trump administration's prioritization of border security over international health cooperation has drawn warnings that the current Ebola outbreak could become the second-largest in history.
The court case, filed by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog, argues that the quarantine center violates Kenyan sovereignty and endangers public health. The High Court's suspension remains in effect pending further hearings, leaving the facility's future uncertain amid escalating local opposition.
