Several Kenyans were arrested on Tuesday during fresh protests against the construction of an Ebola quarantine centre intended to host American citizens arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The facility is being built at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, a tourist town located near Mount Kenya. The centre is expected to quarantine Americans arriving from the DRC, where authorities are battling a significant Ebola outbreak.
The project has sparked public concern because Kenya has never recorded a confirmed Ebola case. Many residents fear that bringing people from an affected region could increase the risk of introducing the virus into the country.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the air base to demonstrate against the facility. Some wore protective suits and masks, while others carried a symbolic coffin marked with the word “Ebola.”
Police moved in to disperse the crowds, arresting several demonstrators and firing tear gas during the operation.
“We don’t have that disease in this country. They are bringing a virus into our country,” said protester Zipporah Wachira, 30.
The quarantine centre is expected to accommodate up to 50 people in isolation and will be managed by American personnel. Construction was reportedly nearing completion before legal challenges emerged.
The project has already faced strong resistance. Protests held on June 1 turned deadly, with rights groups reporting that two people died. However, the exact circumstances surrounding those deaths remain unclear.
Kenya’s High Court has temporarily ordered a halt to construction while legal proceedings continue. Local political leaders in Laikipia have also voiced opposition to the project.
Despite the criticism, President William Ruto’s government has defended the initiative and pledged to continue supporting it.
Speaking last week, Ruto emphasized the long-standing relationship between Kenya and the United States in the health sector.
“The American people and government have been partners with us on matters of health for close to 25-30 years,” he said.
“It would be most unfortunate if, on one request by the Americans to set up a facility at their cost, we would refuse. We would look very inhuman.”
Kenya’s Health Ministry has sought to reassure the public, stating that the facility will serve both Kenyans and Americans if necessary.
The United States has committed $13.5 million to strengthen Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response capabilities.
The controversy comes after a health cooperation agreement signed by Kenya and the United States last year. Under the arrangement, Kenya agreed to share extensive health data in exchange for billions of dollars in aid, a deal that also generated public debate.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC an international health emergency.
Health authorities have recorded 515 confirmed infections and 91 deaths linked to the outbreak.
Although concerns remain about cross-border transmission, Uganda is the only neighbouring country that has reported cases. The country has confirmed 19 infections, most involving Congolese nationals who crossed the border.
The latest protests highlight growing public anxiety over the quarantine facility and suggest that the project is likely to remain a politically sensitive issue in the coming weeks.
