Nanyuki Residents Plan Protest Against Ebola Quarantine Facility Ahead of Madaraka Day

The citizens of Nanyuki expressed outrage on Saturday over an impending march planned by youth on Monday against the Ebola quarantine center set to be constructed at Laikipia Airbase.

The protest, planned to happen on Madaraka Day, was scheduled to force the hand of the Government.

The High Court on May 29 granted conservatory orders restricting Kenya from admitting or receiving any person who may have contracted Ebola, until the petition against the facility is heard.

The respondents argue that the government signed a pact with foreign states, including the United States, to have patients quarantined at the military base without the consultation of local communities.

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Local Resistance and Economic Concerns Regarding a Quarantine Facility Construction

Locals are now dismissing the court order after alleging that the center has already been constructed and that aircraft have been landing at the base.

“We have seen a lot of activity at the base and even planes landing. The quarantine facility is already built,” Nick Karari, a Nanyuki resident, told reporters.

Karari further warned that Ebola has “no cure, no vaccine” and accused government officials of potentially killing Nanyuki town residents due to negligence.

The government pushed the project through without local stakeholder consent, Karari warned.

Traders are concerned that the economy might suffer, as Laikipia is a major tourist and hospitality hub.

Business owners fear the implication that this may drive away tourists and investors.

“A bullet is better than Ebola and we will not be silent,” Mary Githambo, a resident, stated sternly to the roaring crowd outside the Nanyuki law courts. “This affects us all,” she added.

Also Read: Uganda Warns Male Ebola Survivors to Avoid Sex for At Least 6 Months as Cases Rise

Impact of a Quarantine Notification on Local Tourism and Resident Concerns

Joseph Muriira, a Nanyuki resident, confirmed that there has already been an impact.

“After the notification, we heard that there had been pacts and even patients starting to arrive; hotels are now experiencing a decline as tourists stay away,” he stated. The youth say they “will come out early Monday because this quarantine is a joke”.

Authorities stated the interim orders will continue until an inter-partes hearing is heard, while the petitioners want the facility moved and the deal canceled.

County officials are still investigating the allegations of the ongoing construction, but the police department says that it will monitor Monday’s planned demo to maintain peace.

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Kenya Alerts counties to ramp up Ebola readiness after DRC outbreak and Ugandan case/ PHOTO WHO