Kenya protests continue over US Ebola quarantine facility for Americans
10 reported2 unconfirmed
Protests erupted for a second time in two weeks in Nanyuki, Kenya, over a U.S. quarantine facility for American citizens with high-risk Ebola exposure. The facility, located on an air base about 120 miles from Nairobi, aims to quarantine Americans exposed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda amid concerns the outbreak could become the most devastating Ebola crisis to date. The U.S. has committed $13.5 million to Kenya for its own Ebola response. Many Kenyans complain their government has not been fully transparent about the center, fearing it could bring the virus into the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially said the facility protects Americans from Ebola entering the U.S., but later called that a "misunderstanding," stating sick Americans could return for treatment. Police fired tear gas on protesters today; last week, two protesters were fatally shot. The Kenyan government approved the facility, but a high court has ruled against it following a lawsuit by the Katiba Institute. Some Ebola specialists, including Nahid Bhadelia and Craig Spencer, criticized the approach, arguing it makes America less secure and risks anti-American backlash.
What’s reported
Protests in Nanyuki, Kenya, occurred for a second time in two weeks over a U.S. quarantine facility for Americans with high-risk Ebola exposure.
The facility is on an air base about 120 miles from Nairobi.
Its purpose is to quarantine Americans exposed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda.
The U.S. has committed $13.5 million to Kenya for its own Ebola response.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 27 the facility protects Americans; a week later he called that a "misunderstanding," saying sick Americans could return to the U.S. for treatment.
Police fired tear gas on protesters today; last week, two protesters were fatally shot.
Kenyan President William Ruto approved the facility, citing a partnership with the U.S.
A high court in Kenya ruled against the facility after a lawsuit by the Katiba Institute.
The State Department said no American with high-risk exposure has used the facility yet; only one American has contracted Ebola.
Ebola specialists Nahid Bhadelia and Craig Spencer criticized the approach, with Spencer calling it "build the wall, but for viruses."
Open questions
Whether the facility will offer treatments such as mechanical ventilation or continuous kidney dialysis; the State Department did not confirm this.
What "relevant U.S. and foreign government health, travel, and screening measures" apply to Americans who decline the facility; the State Department did not elaborate.
Key figures
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Kenyan President William Ruto
Nahid Bhadelia, director of Boston University's Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases
Craig Spencer, emergency medicine physician and professor of public health at Brown University
Sources: NPR
