Kenyan Court Halts US Ebola Quarantine Center Opening

A Kenyan court issued a temporary halt on the opening of a US Ebola quarantine center, which was scheduled to begin operations on Friday. This decision followed a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a Kenyan rights group, citing concerns over the center's establishment and its potential constitutional implications.

The quarantine facility, intended to manage American arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was set to include 50 isolation beds and be staffed by US medical personnel at Laikipia Air Base, located 200 kilometers from Nairobi. The court's order emphasized that Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases within its territory.

The establishment of the quarantine center was part of a health agreement signed with the US in December of the previous year. The Kenyan Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union condemned the move, arguing it could jeopardize the health of citizens and foreign aid.

The Kenyan government has 48 hours to respond to the petition, with a follow-up set for June 2.