US seeks to address concerns after Kenyan court halted proposed Ebola facility

The US on Saturday said it was engaging Kenyan authorities and remains confident that concerns surrounding a proposed Ebola isolation facility could be resolved after Kenya’s High Court temporarily suspended the project, according to Anadolu Agency.

“We are aware of the court action filed in Kenya against the Ebola isolation facility. We are in touch with Kenyan authorities and are optimistic we can resolve objections,” said a statement from the Office of Jeremy P. Lewin, the US under secretary for foreign assistance, humanitarian affairs, and religious freedom.

The statement marks the first public response from Washington since Kenya’s High Court halted the establishment or operationalization of the proposed facility pending the hearing and determination of a constitutional petition.

Justice Patricia Nyaundi issued the temporary orders Friday after a rights group challenged the project, arguing that it raised constitutional and public interest concerns that require judicial review.

The proposed facility has generated intense debate in Kenya following reports that it could be used in connection with US preparedness measures involving American citizens potentially exposed to Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The case has drawn significant public attention, with critics questioning why a facility linked to American Ebola response plans would be located in Kenya, while supporters argue the country has long served as a regional hub for public health operations, humanitarian coordination, and disease surveillance.

Stabil.Az