Hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets on Monday in Nanyuki to protest a planned United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility at a local air force base. The demonstrations occurred days after Kenya’s High Court ordered a suspension of the project, which aims to house US nationals exposed to the virus.

The proposal to host individuals exposed to Ebola, a virus that has caused significant loss of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda, has ignited public anger in Kenya, a country that has not recorded any Ebola cases. Protesters gathered near the Laikipia airbase, the designated site for the facility, expressing concerns about public health and the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement.

Footage from the scene showed approximately 100 people on roads leading to the airbase, some blowing whistles and others riding atop a pickup truck. Reports indicated that police and military presence was increased around the base. A protester cited by Reuters stated that the demonstration was a fight “for our lives,” emphasizing the proximity of the base to the local community and shared public spaces.

US officials have stated the facility would be a 50-bed unit designed for asymptomatic US citizens exposed to Ebola. The US government has pledged $13.5 million towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness. However, details about the facility have been scarce, fueling speculation and mistrust among the local population and civil society groups.

Kenya's Health Minister, Aden Duale, stated on Saturday that the agreement was part of a broader effort to enhance emergency response systems. He added that the quarantine center was intended for "everyone" and not exclusively for US nationals. Despite the court's order, military aircraft were observed at the Nanyuki base late last week and over the weekend, suggesting that preparations might be continuing.

Organizers of the protest have demanded the facility be permanently shut down. One organizer, Patrick Wahome, conveyed concerns to Reuters that if anyone at the base were infected, the close proximity to the Nanyuki community, where residents and military families share schools and living spaces, could lead to a rapid spread of the virus.

The lawsuit filed in Kenya's High Court argued that the proposed site could endanger public health due to Kenya's already strained healthcare system. It also highlighted a lack of transparency in the agreement between the US and Kenyan governments.

The court's decision to suspend the plan reflects ongoing public apprehension regarding the potential risks associated with hosting an Ebola quarantine facility, particularly given the virus's devastating impact in other parts of the region and the perceived lack of clear communication from authorities.