The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) took charge after protests erupted in Nanyuki, within Laikipia County, over the controversial establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility.
Protesters took to the streets on June 1 to participate in a peaceful demonstration following reports of the establishment of an Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Airbase.
During the protests, the protestors sought entry to the Laikipia Airbase to get clarification on what was happening, triggering the intervention of the KDF.
According to the residents, the establishment of the quarantine base in Nanyuki would expose the residents to higher risks of contracting the Ebola virus.
Speaking to the media, one of the locals, Douglas Mwangi, explained that officers at the Laikipia Airbase are in contact with the residents, hence the risk of infection.
Further added that the quarantine facility would affect children studying in schools neighboring the Laikipia Airbase, putting them at risk, and that no public participation was carried out to involve the residents in decision-making.
“We are in constant contact with the officers at the Laikipia Airbase; children studying in the areas neighboring the Laikipia Airbase are at risk of contracting the virus, and if they are infected, we are likely to get infected. We are disagreeing with the establishment of a quarantine base in Laikipia as no public participation was undertaken to involve us in the decision,” Douglas Mwangi stated.
In addition, he stated that instead of the government establishing an Ebola quarantine facility, it should focus on development projects that will help the residents secure jobs or establish a university.
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Nanyuki Ebola Quarantine Plan
In addition, residents noted that over the past several days, there had been increased air traffic at the Laikipia Airbase, reportedly related to the ongoing Ebola deal.
Further, Patrick Wahome, a resident, argued that Nanyuki town will not serve as a disease dumpsite or laboratory testing and affirmed that residents will continue to protest until the government shuts down the quarantine base.
In addition, Patrick noted that health facilities in Nanyuki lack the basic equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), required to deal with common diseases, and the establishment of the quarantine will be a challenge.
Locals called upon the government to halt the quarantine plan, stating that the recent cases in the surrounding countries should be handled in the affected areas and not risk the lives of Kenyans.
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Ebola Outbreak
Establishment of quarantine facilities, including one at the Laikipia Airbase, follows the outbreak of Ebola, with cases recorded in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The move has sparked a heated debate and uproar in the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the establishment of the quarantine facility in readiness for the outbreak despite Kenya having recorded no Ebola cases so far.
“In partnership with the United States Government, Kenya is also establishing an Ebola facility at a military installation in Laikipia to strengthen monitoring, isolation, and emergency response capacity,” said CS Duale
Principal Secretary of the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, has supported the Health CS, emphasizing that Kenya needs to support other countries during the outbreak.
“If a facility is being established in this country, that is confidence even to the other countries that Kenya has all that we need even to help other countries globally and even in our region,” Mbaika noted.
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, however, was not in support, stating that the government did not conduct any public participation as required by law before deciding the establish quarantine bases.
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