The United States government has issued a strong statement affirming its close partnership with the Kenyan government in the fight against Ebola, while directly addressing public concerns about a bio-isolation facility for Ebola patients in Laikipia.
In a press release issued by the US Embassy in Nairobi, the President Donald Trump led government said it acknowledged a recent court action filed in Kenya against the proposed facility, and confirmed they are actively working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections and clearly communicate shared objectives to Kenyans.
The United States gave a clear assurance that the bio-isolation facility in Laikipia forms part of a holistic regional response and does not pose any risk to nearby communities..
“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 the statement.
The statement also emphasized that the United States and Kenya share a historic health partnership spanning decades that has benefited both nations, describing the current joint response to the Ebola outbreak as a natural extension of this longstanding cooperation
Beyond Laikipia, the United States and Kenya are working together to enhance border detection measures, provide accurate testing, and bolster the overall response in high-risk areas.
Efforts are also underway to expand regional capacity for isolating and testing asymptomatic individuals, including American personnel supporting the operation.
“As the health security situation evolves, we are working in tandem with Kenya and international partners to enhance protocols for detection and spread of this deadly disease,” the statement read.
This approach, the US government said, will help preserve Kenya’s existing clinical resources to better serve Kenyan citizens.
On June 1, residents of Nanyuki town took to the streets to protest the proposed facility, citing concerns over potential health risks associated with its proximity to residential areas.
The demonstrators also demanded greater transparency from authorities on why the facility is being established in Kenya rather than in the United States.
