NAIROBI, Kenya— The United States has defended its controversial plan to establish an Ebola exposure and monitoring facility in Kenya, arguing that the country’s location near regional outbreak zones makes it the most effective option for responding to medical emergencies.
The remarks come as a legal battle over the proposed facility intensifies, with the High Court having already issued conservatory orders temporarily halting its establishment pending the hearing of a petition filed by the Katiba Institute.
Speaking during a White House briefing on Tuesday, June 2, US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz said Kenya remains Washington’s preferred choice despite growing public opposition and ongoing court proceedings.
US says Kenya’s location makes it the preferred option
According to Oz, proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ebola outbreaks have repeatedly occurred, was a key factor behind the decision to pursue the facility in Kenya.
“The main issue with having a facility close to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is if a patient is sick. Again, I’ll speak as a heart doctor. I want to take the patient to the OR that’s right next door to the room they’re sick in, not to the building next to them or to three buildings two blocks away because that time is precious to us,” he said.
Oz argued that rapid medical intervention is critical not only in trauma cases but also when dealing with highly infectious diseases such as Ebola.
“You have a golden hour in many of these instances around trauma, but for illnesses, it’s also relatively short. Sending them across the world, especially when we’re not sure what’s going on with them, is probably not the wisest move,” he added.
The proposed facility is intended to monitor and isolate Americans exposed to Ebola while ensuring immediate access to treatment if symptoms develop.
Washington says alternative locations remain available
Even as it defended the Kenya proposal, the United States revealed it has contingency plans should the project fail to proceed.
Oz disclosed that discussions were ongoing between Washington and Nairobi and expressed confidence that a solution could still be reached despite the court challenge.
“We are confident, and the State Department’s working on this diligently, that they’re going to be able to work out something with Kenya. There has already been a fair amount of communication around this issue,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that other countries could potentially host the programme if necessary.
“By the way, there’s a UK base there. We have other people who might be willing to welcome us, and we have our German colleagues as well. So there are many places we can send folks,” Oz stated.
He also cited Kenya’s existing security infrastructure and strong international partnerships as factors supporting the country’s suitability for the project.
Court orders disclosure of Ebola facility agreements
The comments come days after the High Court temporarily blocked the establishment of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya under arrangements involving the United States or any other foreign government.
In conservatory orders issued following a petition by Katiba Institute, Justice Patricia Mande ruled that the government could not establish, operationalise, facilitate, approve or permit any Ebola-related facility pending the hearing of the case.
Notably, the court certified the application as urgent and granted interim conservatory orders restraining the respondents from establishing, operationalising, approving or facilitating any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya under any arrangement with the United States or any other foreign government or agency.
The court further barred the respondents from admitting into, transferring to, receiving within, or facilitating the entry into Kenya of any persons exposed to or infected with Ebola pursuant to the contested arrangement.
Katiba Institute argues that the proposed facility raises serious public safety and constitutional concerns and has sought full disclosure of the government’s engagements with the United States.
On Tuesday, the High Court further ordered the government to disclose all agreements, negotiations, approvals, risk assessments and operational protocols relating to the proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki.
The court battle has unfolded amid growing public concern, particularly in Laikipia County, where demonstrations linked to the proposed project have reportedly resulted in two deaths.
For now, the future of the facility remains uncertain. While Washington insists Kenya remains the most practical location for the programme, the project’s fate may ultimately depend on what emerges from ongoing court proceedings and whether the government can justify the arrangement before the judiciary and the public.
