Kenyan judges halt launch of American Ebola isolation facility

A court in Kenya has issued a temporary reprieve, blocking the launch of a quarantine centre for US nationals who may have been exposed to Ebola, in response to a petition lodged by a local rights organisation.

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This facility, slated to commence operations on the same day, was intended to serve as a quarantine hub for American citizens arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country grappling with a severe Ebola outbreak.

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As envisioned, the centre would boast 50 isolation beds and be staffed by US medical personnel at Laikipia Air Base, located approximately 200 kilometres, or 124 miles, from Nairobi, the nation's capital.

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The court's directive is unequivocal, stating that "a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from establishing… any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya".

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Despite rigorous testing of incoming travellers, Kenya has yet to detect any Ebola cases within its borders, stemming from the current outbreak.

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A health agreement was signed between Kenya and the US in December of the previous year, but the accord is presently the subject of a court challenge.

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The Katiba Institute, a Kenyan rights group that initiated the petition, has raised concerns that the centre's establishment was shrouded in secrecy and lacked transparency, giving rise to "grave constitutional concerns".

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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has vehemently denounced the move, alleging that the government is prioritising foreign aid over the well-being of its citizens.

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Kenyan medical professionals have issued a warning, threatening to take industrial action if the negotiations surrounding the facility are not made public.

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The health ministry in Kenya has expressed its willingness to collaborate with other countries, including the US, but has declined to directly address queries regarding the facility.

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The Kenya government has been granted a 48-hour window to respond to the petition, with a court mention scheduled for June 2.