No, Mr Ruto, standing up for African agency does not mean America first, By Redi Tlhabi

Protests have erupted in Kenya against a controversial plan by the United States to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility for Americans at the Kenyan Air Force base in Nanyuki. The facility is intended for U.S. citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola in neighboring countries.

Critics argue that the plan unfairly shifts the health risk from the United States onto Kenya. Protesters contend that Americans exposed to Ebola should be quarantined within the U.S. rather than in East Africa. This arrangement has led to accusations that Kenya is prioritizing its relationship with the U.S. administration over collective African positions.

The protests underscore a broader debate about Kenya's foreign policy and its commitment to "African agency." President William Ruto has previously stated Kenya is "not looking East or West, but looking forward," suggesting an Africa independent of old Cold War alignments. However, recent decisions have raised questions about whether Kenya is genuinely pursuing its own interests or falling back into patterns of dependency.

This sentiment was echoed during South Africa's G20 presidency, when Kenya reportedly downgraded its participation, sending a diplomat instead of senior political leadership. This decision, made when many African leaders complained about the exclusion of African voices in global institutions, contrasted sharply with other nations that sent heads of state and ministers. The move was seen by some as prioritizing a special relationship with Washington over a unified African stance.

"We are not America's quarantine zone," declared protesters, highlighting the deep-seated concerns about sovereignty and the potential health risks associated with the Nanyuki facility. The Kenyan government has stated it will refrain from further comments on the matter out of respect for ongoing investigations and the rights of those involved.

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We are not America’s quarantine zone.