Protests in Kenya over the US Ebola site kill two, but the court doesn’t lift the ban
A Kenyan court on Tuesday put off for another three weeks a plan for a U.S. Ebola quarantine center that had caused protests that killed two people. The court also told the government to explain its deal with Washington.
Many Kenyans are against the idea of building a 50-bed unit on an air force base in central Kenya for Americans who got the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda. They argue that the U.S. is shifting the health risks associated with caring for patients to other countries.
Because a legal defense group sued, a Kenyan court put the plan on hold for a while last week. But U.S. military planes have continued to bring in staff and supplies over the past few days, according to a U.S. official and foreign sources.
Tuesday, Judge Patricia Nyaundi of the Kenyan High Court told the Kenyan government that they cannot start building or running the facility in the town of Nanyuki until the case is over.
The judge also told the government that they had to show all agreements and operating rules for the facility within seven days. The next meeting is set for June 23.
Mehmet Oz, a senior U.S. health official, told reporters at a White House briefing on Tuesday that President Trump’s administration is sure the State Department will be able to work with Kenya to build the center.
“I think we’re going to work out … a very favorable arrangement with Kenya,” Oz stated. “They’re going to do the right thing for everybody, and I think it’s a perfect solution.”
On Monday, hundreds of people in Nanyuki spoke out against the plan. Patrick Wahome, the organizer of the protest, reported that police opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. There was also word that two people had died, but the source did not say what caused the deaths.
Michael Muchiri, a spokesman for the police, said he didn’t know about the deaths.
Ruto, the president of Kenya, defends the US agreement.
Kenyan President William Ruto said on Monday that the building was part of a larger national preparedness plan and a health relationship that has been going on for a long time with Washington.
Last week, the U.S. said it would give Kenya $13.5 million to help it get ready for Ebola. Ruto said that the site would help both Kenyans and people from other countries.
“Our government is responsible.” Rudo said, “We know what we’re doing.”
Reuters reported that a U.S. official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the facility would exclusively cater to U.S. citizens. “American officials, doctors, and clinicians will be at this facility, treating American citizens at the facility,” the source said. “Stopping the spread of Ebola and giving Americans the best medical care is our top priority,” the official said.
Kenyan courts are known for being independent, especially compared to other courts in the area. However, activists often say that the government ignores or gets around orders.
The rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola is spreading in eastern Congo, and some cases have spread to Uganda, which is nearby.
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that there have been 321 proven cases of Ebola and 116 suspected cases in Congo. Of these, 48 have died. 15 cases have been reported in Uganda.
Instead of allowing cases into the U.S. as happened during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, the Trump administration has said it will prevent any cases from entering.
Last month, a U.S. resident who got Ebola while working as a medical missionary in the DRC was moved to Germany to get treatment with five other people who were exposed.
The seventh person was taken to the Czech Republic.
Americans who have been exposed to the virus but are asymptomatic should go to the Nanyuki center. U.S. officials have stated that they will send individuals exhibiting symptoms to other countries for treatment.
