United States President Donald Trump has issued a message to Laikipia County residents who took to the streets on Monday to protest the establishment of an Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Air Base.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the US government described the facility as part of a wider strategy aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola and strengthening Kenya’s ability to respond to potential outbreaks.
“The bio-isolation facility in Laikipia is part of a holistic response to prevent the spread of the disease and lessen health risks for the region as a whole. It does not pose a risk to nearby communities,” read part of a statement issued by the US Embassy in Nairobi.
The Trump administration added that beyond the Laikipia facility, it is working closely with Kenya and international partners to strengthen border screening, expand testing capacity, and improve disease surveillance in counties considered at higher risk of exposure.
The US government further stated that the quarantine facility will help Kenya build regional capacity to isolate and test individuals without symptoms while preserving the country’s existing clinical resources for the benefit of Kenyan citizens.
The protests on Monday drew thousands of Laikipia County residents onto the streets, with demonstrators expressing fear that the facility poses a direct danger to their communities. The demonstrations turned tragic as police killed two people during the unrest.
