Kenyan rights group sues to block US Ebola quarantine center

A Kenyan human rights organization has taken legal action to prevent the creation of an Ebola quarantine center intended for U.S. citizens within the East African nation. The Katiba Institute filed a court petition on Thursday, aiming to halt the facility's operations and block the entry of individuals exposed to the virus.

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raises grave constitutional concerns

The U.S. is constructing what it describes as a "state-of-the-art" center for its nationals returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently experiencing a significant Ebola outbreak. However, the Katiba Institute contends that the facility's establishment was conducted in secrecy and unilaterally, raising "grave constitutional concerns."

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Adding an international quarantine responsibility for foreign nationals could stretch their national capacities… If it’s not well supported by additional resources

Concerns about the potential impact on Kenya's healthcare infrastructure have also been voiced. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that such a facility could "stretch their national capacities" if not adequately supported with resources. Kenya has implemented testing for arrivals but has not yet reported any Ebola cases from the current outbreak within its borders.

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The case is about preserving constitutional accountability, protecting public health and ensuring that no government may place expediency above the lives and safety of the people of Kenya

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has also spoken out against the plan, labeling it "backdoor negotiations." The union has given the government 48 hours to disclose details of the agreement or face potential industrial action from medical professionals. "We are utterly disgusted by the government’s apparent willingness to trade national biosecurity and the lives of its citizens for foreign aid," the union stated. The union's secretary general, Davji Bhimji Atella, echoed these sentiments, stating, "If it is too dangerous for America, it is too dangerous for Kenya."

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backdoor negotiations