A Kenyan court on Tuesday (2) extended for another three weeks the suspension of a proposed United States Ebola quarantine facility, which has sparked protests in the country that left two people dead, and ordered the government to disclose the agreement signed with Washington.
The 50-bed facility, planned for an air force base in central Kenya, was intended for Americans exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Uganda. However, it has triggered strong opposition among Kenyans, who accuse the United States of transferring the health risks associated with treating Ebola patients to their country.
Last week, the court had already temporarily halted the project following a lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy group. Nevertheless, US military aircraft continued transporting personnel and equipment in recent days, according to a US official and diplomatic sources.
Kenya High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi ruled on Tuesday that the Kenyan government is prohibited from taking any steps to build or begin operating the facility in the town of Nanyuki until the case is resolved.
The judge also ordered the government to disclose within seven days all agreements and operational protocols related to the project and scheduled the next hearing for June 23.
US health official Mehmet Oz said during a press conference at the White House that President Donald Trump’s administration is confident the State Department will be able to reach an agreement with Kenya.
“I believe we will reach a very favorable agreement with Kenya,” Oz said. “They will do what is right for everyone, and I think this is a perfect solution.”
Hundreds of people protested against the plan in Nanyuki on Monday. Protest organizer Patrick Wahome said that two people died from gunshot wounds after police opened fire. A security source also confirmed two deaths but did not specify the cause.
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said he was not aware of any deaths.
