Govt Under Pressure to Explain Quarantine of Seven American Ebola Response Workers at Laikipia Facility

Senior Counsel Paul Muite has asked the government to publicly address reports that seven US citizens are in isolation at Nanyuki’s Laikipia Air Base over Ebola concerns.

Muite questioned the government about updates on the seven US citizens, raising the court orders and the Ebola Outbreak issue.

“Can GoK issue a Public Statement on this? Are U.S. citizens quarantined in Nanyuki Airbase in Contempt of Court Orders? Are there NO concerns by GoK of an Ebola outbreak in Kenya?” Muite posed on X.

He added: “All this in pursuit of some USDs by some individuals!”

The demand comes amid conflicting accounts over a quarantine facility at the airbase, about 200 kilometres from Nairobi.

US Aid Workers in Isolation: Humanitarian Mission Amidst Ebola Concerns

Reports indicate that seven US aid workers are in isolation at the facility.

Samaritan’s Purse confirmed on Friday that seven members of its Disaster Assistance Response Team are at the centre.

CEO Franklin Graham said, “They are being housed in large military tents in a fenced, gravelled area, sleeping on military cots, with their food provided by the US military.” He described them as “true American heroes.”

The US State Department said the Americans had worked with Samaritan’s Purse in Ebola-affected areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and moved them to Kenya purely as a precaution.

“All of these American humanitarians are currently asymptomatic and at this time, have not tested positive for Ebola,” the State Department said. “Kenyan authorities have authorized their movement into the facility,” it added.

Kenya’s Health CS Aden Duale, however, told AFP he was unaware of the isolation.

Also Read: 7 American Workers Deployed to Combat Ebola in DRC Quarantined at Laikipia Facility

The Laikipia Quarantine Facility Debate

Duale had earlier told the court on June 23 that he had ordered the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction of the facility.

A Kenyan court had ordered the project halted and found Duale in contempt for failing to do so immediately.

The reports sparked protests; three Kenyans died in violent demonstrations over the creation of the quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, according to reports.

Also Read: KDF Strengthens Ebola Preparedness After Laikipia Quarantine Reports Involving Seven Americans

Kenya has never recorded a case of Ebola. Many Kenyans oppose bringing potential carriers of the highly contagious disease into the country.

As of now, the government has not issued a formal public statement responding to Muite’s questions or clarifying the status of the facility.

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Health workers in DRC disinfect an area after handling Ebola patients in Eastern DRC. PHOTO/ WHO