Key facts
- Kenyan President William Ruto supports the U.S. plan to build an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya.
- Ruto emphasized the importance of preparedness for health crises.
- The U.S. is rapidly constructing the tented facility at an air force base in Nanyuki, Kenya.
- The facility is intended to host Americans exposed to the virus.
- Protests and Kenyan court orders have been issued against the facility.
- At least two people were killed in protests against the base.
Kenyan President William Ruto stated on Thursday that his government is doing the 'right thing' by allowing the United States to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya. Ruto emphasized the critical need for preparedness and response mechanisms for health emergencies like Ebola outbreaks. Satellite imagery indicates the U.S. government is rapidly progressing with the construction of a tented, 50-bed unit at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, central Kenya. This facility is intended to host Americans in the region who may be exposed to the virus, as the outbreak has spread to neighboring Uganda, which has reported 16 cases. The construction is proceeding despite protests, which have resulted in at least two deaths, and Kenyan court orders that initially blocked the work. The U.S. embassy in Nairobi is reportedly working with the Kenyan government to resolve objections.