Law enforcement officers in Kenya used tear gas Tuesday to break up demonstrations in the central community of Nanyuki, where residents are opposing an American-built quarantine facility for Ebola exposure cases.
The planned 50-bed medical unit, located on an air force base, has sparked outrage among many Kenyan citizens who believe the United States is transferring the health risks associated with treating individuals exposed to the Ebola crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Last week’s demonstrations in Nanyuki turned deadly, claiming two lives, as local frustration has intensified while Kenyan and American officials continue to publicly support the project despite existing court injunctions.
Officers deployed tear gas to break up small gatherings of demonstrators who assembled early Tuesday morning. Among the protesters, one individual held a white cross bearing the red-lettered message “Respect Ebola.”
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has stated it “cannot and will not allow” any cases to enter the U.S., marking a departure from the 2014-2016 West African Ebola crisis when several infected American citizens received treatment within the United States.
The Nanyuki medical facility is intended for Americans who have encountered the virus but remain without symptoms. Those who develop symptoms would be transferred to other nations for treatment, according to U.S. officials.
Military aircraft from the United States have continued delivering personnel and supplies despite judicial orders stopping the project, based on information from U.S. and diplomatic sources along with flight tracking records, with additional aircraft scheduled to arrive this week.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters reveal a growing collection of white tents positioned in the center of approximately 0.046 square kilometers (11 acres) of cleared land within the Laikipia Air Base since May 27.
American officials have acknowledged awareness of the legal challenge and stated they are “working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections.”
Kenyan authorities have indicated the facility would accommodate Kenyan citizens and other foreign nationals alongside American citizens, though U.S. officials have not verified this arrangement.
