NAIROBI, June 4 – Preparations for a United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya are continuing despite court orders suspending the project and growing public opposition to its establishment.
The planned 50-bed facility is being developed at a military installation in Nanyuki, central Kenya, and is intended to accommodate US citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola during response operations in Central and East Africa.
The project has sparked controversy in Kenya, where critics have questioned the decision to host the facility and expressed concerns about potential public health risks.
Demonstrations against the project have intensified in recent days, with reports indicating that at least two people died during protests linked to opposition to the facility.
Flight-tracking data and sources familiar with the operation indicate that multiple military transport aircraft have continued arriving at the Kenyan base carrying equipment, technical personnel and specialist staff.
The shipments reportedly include medical supplies, laboratory equipment, engineers, healthcare professionals and construction teams involved in preparing the site for operation.
According to officials familiar with the project, no Ebola patients have been transported to the facility, with current activities focused solely on logistics, infrastructure and operational readiness.
The controversy has also generated legal challenges.
A Kenyan court initially ordered work on the facility to be suspended pending further review, while a subsequent ruling extended restrictions and directed authorities to disclose details of agreements reached between Kenya and the United States regarding the project.
Despite the legal proceedings, preparations have reportedly continued as officials seek clarification on the scope and implications of the court orders.
The US Embassy in Nairobi has acknowledged the ongoing legal process and stated that it is working with Kenyan authorities to address concerns surrounding the project.
Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the government’s decision to approve the facility, maintaining that authorities are acting responsibly in managing public health and international cooperation matters.
The project was designed as part of broader efforts to support the international response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Health authorities continue to monitor the outbreak closely as regional and international partners coordinate containment and response measures.
The future of the facility now appears likely to depend on the outcome of ongoing court proceedings, government decisions and public consultations, as debate continues over the role Kenya should play in international Ebola response efforts.
