Kenya backs US‑funded Ebola quarantine facility despite protests

Kenyan President William Ruto defended the construction of a U.S.‑funded Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, calling the project “the right thing” to protect public health. Satellite imagery shows a 50‑bed tented unit and supporting infrastructure being assembled at the military airfield, even though Kenyan courts ordered a suspension of the work and protests have resulted in two fatalities.

Ruto said rejecting the U.S. request would be inhumane and highlighted Kenya’s broader Ebola preparedness, including border screening of 2,000‑3,000 travellers daily, 23 isolation facilities nationwide, and training of thousands of health workers. The United States has contributed about Sh1.8 billion to Kenya’s Ebola response, and the facility is intended for use by American personnel if needed, while Kenya would still treat foreign nationals in existing hospitals.

The initiative comes as the Ebola outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to neighboring Uganda, prompting regional concern over cross‑border transmission.