Hundreds of residents in central Kenya have protested against plans by the United States government to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki. The proposed facility, intended to host Americans exposed to Ebola while abroad, has sparked public outrage, legal battles, and renewed debate over public health, sovereignty, and international cooperation.

Early Monday morning, hundreds of residents gathered outside Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, central Kenya, to protest against a proposed U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility.

The demonstrators expressed fears that the facility could expose local communities to the deadly virus, despite assurances from authorities that strict health protocols would be observed. The facility is intended to accommodate Americans exposed to Ebola in outbreak-affected countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Among the protesters was a local resident who questioned why Kenyan communities should bear the risks associated with housing foreign Ebola patients.

Protesters argued that the facility's proximity to schools and residential areas could endanger local populations, with many accusing authorities of failing to adequately consult the public before advancing the project.

The controversy intensified after details of discussions between Nairobi and Washington emerged through statements from U.S. officials, including comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that the United States would not allow Ebola cases onto American soil.

The planned facility has since been challenged in court by the Katiba Institute and other legal groups, which argue that Kenya's health system should not be used to manage risks originating elsewhere. Kenya's High Court has temporarily suspended the project and barred the entry of Ebola-exposed or infected individuals pending further hearings.

Critics say the proposal raises questions about fairness and sovereignty, with some asking why Americans exposed to Ebola are not being quarantined within the United States itself.

Meanwhile, Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the project, describing it as part of a broader health preparedness partnership between Kenya and the United States. He said the facility would strengthen Kenya's capacity to respond to future outbreaks and would not exclusively serve American nationals.

The Ebola outbreak at the centre of the controversy is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, with health experts warning that the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo may be significantly larger than official figures indicate. Cases have also been reported in Uganda, prompting heightened surveillance and border control measures across the region.

As legal proceedings continue, Kenya's High Court has ordered the government to disclose all agreements and operational protocols relating to the facility within seven days. The next hearing is scheduled later this month as public debate over the project intensifies.