Kenyan Catholic Bishops Oppose US Ebola Facility at Laikipia Air Base
Kenya's Catholic bishops have formally called on the government to halt construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, citing risks to public health and a lack of transparency. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops says the project poses an inherent threat to Kenyan citizens and amounts to what one bioethics scholar called 'ethical dumping.' A High Court has ordered a suspension of the plan, though reports indicate work continued at the site.
Kenya's Catholic bishops are demanding the government stop construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, about 125 miles north of Nairobi.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) issued a formal statement opposing the project, which the US State Department says is designed to house American citizens with high-risk Ebola exposure from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda. The US committed $13.5 million to Kenya to support the facility.
Bishop leaders argue the project poses an "inherent threat" to Kenyan lives by potentially importing a deadly disease into a community where military personnel interact daily with local residents. The bishops also criticized the government for failing to consult the public before agreeing to the arrangement.
Fr. Pascal Mwakio, a Kenyan Catholic bioethics scholar, described the situation as "ethical dumping," questioning why Americans deemed too infectious to treat at home would be sent to a country with fewer medical resources.
"The government has a moral duty to protect its own people first," the bishops said in their statement. They called for full disclosure of the terms of the agreement with the United States.
Protests broke out in Nanyuki near the base, with police using tear gas on demonstrators. Reports indicate two protesters were killed during the unrest. The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union also opposed the facility.
A Kenyan High Court ordered a suspension of the plan. Despite the ruling, reports from the site suggest construction activity continued.
The US government defended the facility as part of a long-standing health partnership with Kenya. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the site was essential to protect American citizens and prevent Ebola from entering the United States.
Internal dissent emerged within the US government as well. Sources within the CDC said some officials were "furious" about the plan, warning it could complicate Ebola response efforts and that the facility might not meet the standard of care available in the United States.
The KCCB said the Church remains willing to partner with the government on strengthening Kenya's domestic health infrastructure, provided such efforts are transparent and respect the dignity of all people.
