Kenyan court blocks US Ebola quarantine facility for Americans
7 verified3 unconfirmed2 contested
A Kenyan High Court has temporarily blocked a U.S. plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens in the country. The proposed facility was intended to house Americans exposed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is spreading in northeastern Congo. The court issued a restraining order on Friday, halting any deal until legal challenges are heard. Two Kenyan organizations, the Katiba Institute and the Law Society of Kenya, separately filed petitions against the facility, citing public health risks and lack of transparency. The U.S. government has committed $13.5 million toward Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The current outbreak in Congo has killed at least 220 people and infected hundreds more, with seven cases also confirmed in Uganda.
What’s verified
A Kenyan High Court temporarily blocked a U.S. plan to set up an Ebola quarantine facility for Americans.
The facility was designed for Americans exposed to the Ebola virus while abroad.
The Katiba Institute and the Law Society of Kenya each filed legal challenges against the facility.
The U.S. intends to provide $13.5 million for Kenya’s Ebola preparedness, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, centered in northeastern Congo.
At least 220 deaths have been reported in the outbreak.
Uganda has confirmed seven Ebola cases linked to the outbreak.
Where accounts differ
One source reports that more than 900 people have been infected in the outbreak, while another states more than 1,000 suspected cases have been confirmed.
One source identifies the facility’s location as the Laikipia Air Base, about 124 miles from Nairobi; another source says the location remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Not yet confirmed
Whether the court gave the Kenyan government 48 hours to respond to the petition, as one source states, or set a hearing for the following Tuesday, as another source reports.
A Kenyan doctors’ union issued a 48-hour strike notice should the deal proceed, according to a single source.
No exposed Americans have been identified for transfer to the facility, per one source.
Key figures
Katiba Institute (non-profit legal organization)
Law Society of Kenya
Marco Rubio (U.S. Secretary of State)
William Ruto (President of Kenya)
Davji Atellah (chairperson of a Kenyan doctors’ union)
Sources: CBS News, statnews.com
