Kenyan President Defends US Ebola Quarantine Facility

Kenyan President William Ruto has defended his government's decision to allow the United States to build a quarantine facility in Kenya for people exposed to the Ebola virus, saying he would consider it inhumane to refuse the American request.

"We are doing the right thing", Ruto said, adding that the facility is being built at US expense and is intended to protect the health of people who may have come into contact with the virus.

The 50-bed quarantine unit is under construction at the Nanyuki air base in central Kenya, but the project has sparked strong public opposition and legal challenges. A court ordered a halt to construction on 28 May, though the US government reportedly continued preparations. The US Embassy in Nairobi said it was working with Kenyan authorities to resolve the objections raised.

Tensions over the project have also spilled into street protests. At least two people were killed in demonstrations in Nanyuki this week. Critics argue that Kenya should not serve as a quarantine site for citizens of other countries.

(reuters, max)