A Kenyan court’s decision to halt a controversial US-backed Ebola quarantine plan on Friday has drawn sharply divided reactions on the streets of Nairobi, with some residents welcoming the move as a safeguard and others seeing missed opportunity for the country to lead in regional health response. The High Court temporarily blocked the establishment of a 50-bed facility at a Kenyan air force base that was intended to host Americans exposed to Ebola, pending a hearing on June 2. In Nairobi’s busy central business district,
where traffic and pedestrians moved as usual, residents voiced contrasting views on the plan and its suspension. “It is great for the region, not good, great,” said Robert Yawe, adding that Kenya will be known as the people to turn to in case of an Ebola outbreak. But others said the risks outweighed any potential benefit, citing fears of introducing the virus into a country that has not recorded a case. “I am really, really happy that the court has halted,” said Stephanie Opondo. “They
are putting our lives at risk.” The US says the move is aimed at preventing Ebola cases from entering its borders and has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya’s preparedness efforts. The proposal comes as an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has recorded more than 1 000 cases and at least 246 deaths, with experts warning the true numbers may be higher.
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