Plans to establish a US Government Ebola Quarantine Facility in Kenya has been dealt a blow after the high court issued orders temporarily halting the setting up of the facility.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi issued the orders in a case filed by Katiba Institute; the orders coming in the wake of public uproar against the plans.
Katiba institute had moved to court after it emerged that the Kenyan government had gotten into a deal with the US Government that would see Kenya host US citizens in Africa who are infected or exposed to Ebola.
The Laikipia Airbase- a military facility- was identified as the site for the quarantine center with 30 U.S. Public Health Service officers initially receiving deployment notices there.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from establishing, operationalizing, facilitating, approving establishment of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya,” Justice Nyaundi has ordered.
The court has further barred the Kenyan government from allowing persons exposed to the deadly virus under the US Government until the petition is heard and determined.
Katiba institute argues that allowing US citizens exposed to Ebola possess a serious threat to life and public safety of Kenyans.
Doctors in the country through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have expressed opposition to the US-Kenya Deal threatening to go on strike if the President William Ruto led Kenya Kwanza regime fails to disclose the fine print of the deal.
KPMDU Chairman Dr. Devji Atellah has termed the plans as clear sign of the government’s “apparent willingness to trade national biosecurity and the lives of its citizens for foreign aid.”
Attelah questioned why Kenya would allow infected US Citizens into the country yet the American government considers the virus too dangerous allow it within US borders.
“We demand absolute transparency from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on why Kenya has been selected as the designated dumping ground for exposed U.S. citizens,” the KMPDU boss said.
The doctors union has further added that the country is ill prepared to handle another pandemic saying Kenya’s health system is suffering from chronic understaffing and structural healthcare shortages
