Nanyuki youth plan Madaraka Day protests over proposed Ebola facility

A section of youth in Nanyuki town have vowed to stage demonstrations on Monday after continued activities were reportedly observed at the Laikipia Air Base, a day after the High Court halted the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia County.

The demonstrations, which are expected to take place on Madaraka Day, will see the youth march through the streets of Nanyuki town and visit various government offices to demand the immediate cancellation of the ongoing plans to set up the facility at the Base.

The youth have raised concerns over what they describe as a lack of public participation in the decision-making process and that they were not adequately consulted before the project was initiated and insist that their views should be considered before any further steps are taken.

They further claim that the facility poses a potential risk to residents and could negatively affect Laikipia's reputation as one of Kenya's leading tourist destinations as fears associated with the Ebola outbreak may discourage visitors and investors from coming to the region.

Local business operators have also expressed concern that continued uncertainty surrounding the proposed quarantine centre could hurt economic activities in the area as businesses depend on tourism and travel and any perception that the county is unsafe could lead to reduced customer numbers and financial losses for traders and service providers.

Mary Githambo, a Nanyuki resident, said: “Sisi sote tutatokea, na vijana tusitishwe na tusiogope sababu haya mambo yote ni sisi yanatu-affect. Na mimi nawaambia ya kwamba kifo cha risasi ni bora kushinda Ebola.”

“Tumeskia quarantine ilisigniwa na already iko hapa na already ata wagonjwa walishaanza kukuja. Tunaomba wale wote tuko Nanyuki na Laikipia, siku ya Jumatatu, bila kuogopa mtu yeyote, tutajitokeza asubuhi mapema kwa maana tutakuwa na maandamano ya kusema sisi hii quarantine hatuitaki kwa maana imeharibu biashara zetu already, imeshaanza kufanya ata watu wengine wafunge mahoteli zao,” said Joseph Muriira, another Nanyuki resident.

Nick Karari, on his part, said: “Tumeanza kuona ndege zinaenda upande huo, na ni kama already hiyo quarantine area imeshatengenezwa. Tumekasirika sana sababu Ebola haina kinga, haina dawa, na ni serikali yetu ambayo imeamua kufanya mambo haya.”

Theis comes after the High Court in Nairobi on Friday temporarily stopped the government from establishing or operationalising any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya under any arrangement with the United States of America or any other foreign government or agency.

The court also barred the government from admitting into Kenya, transferring, receiving or facilitating the entry of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the contested arrangement until the case is heard and determined.

The conservatory orders were issued after the court certified a petition by the Katiba Institute as urgent.

The petition challenges an alleged arrangement between Kenya and foreign governments, including the United States, regarding the handling of Ebola cases.

The court directed that the orders will remain in force pending the inter-partes hearing of the application.