Kenya’s president has defended the opening of an Ebola quarantine centre for US nationals after a Kenyan court extended by three weeks its suspension and ordered the government to disclose the agreement behind the project, which triggered protests that reportedly left two people dead.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi issued the orders on Tuesday after finding that issues raised in a constitutional petition challenging the facility required further consideration before the project could proceed.
The judge directed the government to make public the agreement and related documents underpinning the Ebola facility before the next court hearing.
The court also extended orders suspending the establishment and operation of the facility, as well as the admission of Ebola-exposed individuals, pending further proceedings.
The case was filed by Katiba Institute, a Kenyan constitutional and governance watchdog, which argues that the project raises legal, public health, and constitutional concerns and should not move forward without greater transparency and public participation.
The ruling came a day after hundreds of residents protested outside the facility in Nanyuki, about 200 kilometres north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
‘Neither unique nor exceptional’
In a post on X, President William Ruto said the proposed US facility was “neither unique nor exceptional but part of a broader national preparedness system”, adding that it “will be there to serve the people of Kenya and to serve our friends, including the Americans”.
On Monday, he said: “I can assure the people of Kenya that the agreement between the government of Kenya and the American government is for the good of our country and for the partnership.”
“Why would anybody want to politicise or mobilise negative politics on a matter so serious as a pandemic?” he continued.
“We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. So people should relax.”
