Kenyan president defends US Ebola facility amid deadly protests
Kenyan President William Ruto said the US-funded Ebola quarantine facility in Wajir was critical to regional health security after two people died in protests against it. The government said the quarantine decision complied with international standards.
Al JazeeraAt a Nairobi briefing, Ruto said: 'This facility is designed to protect Kenya; it is not any kind of biological-weapons depot.' Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the protests were concentrated in the eastern part of the town and were largely driven by unemployed young people. Health Minister Deborah Mlongo said the centre meets WHO standards as a BSL-3 facility.
Al Jazeera's Nairobi correspondent Catherine Soi reported that the public's principal worry stemmed from a rumour that 'the facility was set up to admit patients fleeing the DR Congo'. The Health Ministry rejected the rumour, saying the facility would serve only potential cases in the Wajir population. Opposition MP Babu Owino called for an independent parliamentary inquiry.
US Ambassador Margaret Whitman confirmed funding of $25 million and said the centre will operate under the full management of the Kenyan Health Ministry. The Wajir provincial commissioner declared a security buffer zone on Tuesday. This is not medical advice; follow guidance from official health authorities.
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