The US government is optimistic that plans to establish an ebola quarantine center in Laikipia will continue despite court orders gagging the process.
A State Department official has told Kurunzi News that they were “aware of the court action filed in Kenya against the Ebola isolation facility”.
“We are in touch with Kenyan authorities and are optimistic we can resolve objections,” said the official.
The High Court has stopped the plans but reports have circulated that government is not complying with the orders. Kenyan media claims suggest US military planes arrived at the Laikipia Air Base last week.
The court case will continue on 23 June.
The Kenyan government claims the center will be open for all but the US State Department suggests it will be for Americans to receive “the highest clinical care in a timely manner”.
“American officials, doctors, and clinicians will be at this facility, treating American citizens at the facility.
“The State Department is planning to provide transportation to Americans in the region to the Kenya facility as needed, including by plane.”
The issue has sparked national outrage, leading to demonstrations in different parts of the country. Reports suggest that two people have died during protests in Nanyuki earlier in the week outside the proposed ebola quarantine center.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale appeared in parliament but ended up causing more controversy when he dismissed public participation over the project.
“Under the Public Health Act, we don’t need to do public participation. […] We are not going to consult citizens,” he told the National Assembly.
His remarks have been the subject of intense public scrutiny with Kenyans expressing their views against the CS.
Political commentator Benji Ndolo said Duale was the reason government was facing a credibility crisis.
“Disrespecting Kenyans and disregarding the constitution have caused this government so many problems and a credibility crisis, but people like Duale continue,” Ndolo posted on X.
Human rights lawyer, Lempaa Soyianka, dismissed Duale’s claims saying the contituional requirement for public participation is supreme.
