Kenyan Police Tear-Gas Protesters Over U.S. Ebola Facility

Kenyan police fired tear gas on Tuesday to disperse protesters in the central town of Nanyuki opposing a proposed United States-backed quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola, as Washington pressed ahead with construction despite court orders barring further work.

The proposed 50-bed unit, to be built on a Kenyan air force base at Laikipia, has angered many Kenyans who accuse the United States of offloading the health risk of caring for those exposed to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Two protesters were killed in demonstrations at the same location last week.

Police fired tear gas early on Tuesday to scatter small groups who had gathered in Nanyuki, where frustration has deepened as both Kenyan and United States authorities have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the project despite the court rulings.

One protester carried a white cross bearing the words “Respect Ebola” in red lettering.

The Trump administration has said it “cannot and will not allow” any Ebola cases to enter the United States, departing from the approach taken during the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak when several infected American nationals were treated on home soil.

The Nanyuki facility is intended for Americans who have been exposed to the virus but remain asymptomatic. Those who go on to develop symptoms would be transferred to other countries for treatment, according to United States officials.

United States military planes have continued to ferry staff and equipment into the base even after Kenyan courts issued orders blocking the project, according to United States and diplomatic sources and flight tracking data.

Satellite imagery shows a growing build-up of white tents on approximately 11 acres of cleared land within the Laikipia Air Base since 27 May.

The United States said it was aware of the court challenge and was “working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections.”

Kenyan officials have said the facility would also serve Kenyan and other foreign nationals, though United States officials have not confirmed this.