Ebola facility in Kenya paused by courts as Kenyans protest

June 2 (UPI) -- A plan for a quarantine site in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola is on hold for at least another three weeks as a court ruled to pause it and Kenyans have taken to the streets in protest.

Lady Justice Patricia Nyaundi extended a block on creating the center at the Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki, Kenya, until June 23. The plan was stopped last week after the Katiba Institute, a Kenyan group that defends the country's constitution, sued.

The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has afflicted about 1,000 people, with about 200 suspected deaths. It hasn't spread to Kenya, but some Kenyans fear it could.

Trump has said that no Americans would be allowed to come home for treatment, while several of them are being monitored or getting treatment in Europe after exposure in Congo or Uganda.

Kenya's President William Ruto defended the potential facility, saying that Kenya is prepared should it have to deal with Ebola, and that the country's health care system has enjoyed support from the United States for a long time.

"The quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base with the support of the United States is neither unique nor exceptional, but part of a broader national preparedness system," Ruto said on X Tuesday.

"We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing," he told reporters earlier, saying the facility was part of a long-running partnership with Washington.

"When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them, I gave the OK because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30 to 40 years."

But his opponents have accused him of caving to pressure from the United States and risking the health of Kenyans.

Critics also argued against the plan to only treat Americans. Dr. Ouma Oluga, principal secretary of Kenya's State Department for Medical Services, said on Monday that the facility would also be open to Kenyans, but U.S. officials haven't confirmed that statement.

Copyright 2026 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 10:59 AM.