Residents of Nanyuki, Kenya, have voiced strong opposition to a United States proposal to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for its citizens at the Laikipia Air Base. The plan has ignited fears among locals that they will be exposed to the deadly virus in a country with no known cases.

Anger has been mounting nationwide, with protests erupting in Nanyuki on Monday, resulting in two fatalities. Residents expressed deep concern over what they perceive as a double standard by the US, questioning why American citizens exposed to Ebola would be quarantined in Kenya rather than their home country.

Charles Mathenge, a taxi driver living near the proposed site, stated that "Everybody should be quarantined in their home country. We shouldn’t allow foreigners to bring us diseases." He emphasized the importance of protecting Kenya, adding, "Kenya is our country, and we should be careful with it."

David Mulinge, a souvenir seller, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the perceived disrespect in the proposal. "What’s shocking is that the Americans don’t want their infected fellow citizens to step into their own country but to come to Kenya. That’s like treating us as lesser beings," he remarked.

The US government plans to deploy 30 medical personnel to staff the Nanyuki facility, which is slated to have 50 beds. This development comes as neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are grappling with an Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern.

As of Tuesday, the WHO reported 60 deaths and 344 confirmed cases in the DRC, and one death with nine confirmed cases in Uganda. The virus, identified as the rare Bundibugyo virus, lacks a vaccine or approved treatment, adding to the global concern over its spread.

Kenya has no reported cases of Ebola, making the prospect of hosting a quarantine facility particularly alarming for its citizens. The proposed site's proximity to residential areas has amplified these anxieties, with many fearing that containment measures could fail, leading to an uncontrolled outbreak within their community.

Officials have yet to provide detailed assurances regarding the security protocols and emergency response plans for the potential facility. The lack of transparency and clear communication from both US and Kenyan authorities has further fueled public apprehension and distrust.