Kenyan Court Halts U.S. Ebola Quarantine Plan

A Kenyan high court has issued an order to temporarily halt the setup of an Ebola quarantine unit intended for American citizens. This decision disrupts the plans of the Trump administration, which aimed to have the facility operational by Friday.

The court’s decision came after a civil society group, the Katiba Institute, filed a petition contesting the constitutionality of the proposed facility. The official court order was seen by The New York Times and is dated Thursday. A further hearing on the case is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Katiba Institute is pushing for the Kenyan government to reveal any agreements made to accept American citizens, which the government has not yet confirmed. U.S. officials announced previously that the 50-bed unit would cater to Americans exposed to the Ebola virus. Located at a military air base in Laikipia, about 100 miles from Nairobi, the project was intended to be ready by week’s end.

Nora Mbagathi, executive director of the Katiba Institute, expressed support for international efforts but emphasized the importance of abiding by constitutional procedures. “No one is saying that we are against international collaboration and support when it comes to tackling that crisis. But there are procedures and processes in the Constitution and they are there for a reason,” she stated.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott revealed that the U.S. pledges $13.5 million to bolster Ebola preparedness in Kenya. This announcement followed a conversation between Kenyan President William Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, it did not mention the quarantine facility specifically.

President Ruto noted discussions with foreign representatives, including those from the U.S., about Ebola prevention measures. He stressed the importance of cooperation. Nonetheless, the quarantine plan has stirred criticism within Kenya. Despite never recording an Ebola case, the main doctors’ union voiced worries over inadequate resources to manage an outbreak.

Davji Atellah, secretary general of the doctors’ union, criticized the focus on American citizens. “This quarantine center is American-focused,” he said. “There are no plans for Kenyans who get infected by Ebola.”