Former Chief Justice David Maraga has challenged the government’s position on Ebola quarantine facilities.
The former Chief Justice questions Kenya’s rejection of foreign quarantine facilities after deadly protests against a planned US-linked centre in Laikipia.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has accused President William Ruto’s government of hypocrisy over its Ebola quarantine policy. He contrasted its rejection of foreign quarantine facilities with its earlier defence of a proposed centre in Laikipia.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Wednesday that Kenya would not host quarantine facilities for other jurisdictions. However, Maraga said the government had previously supported arrangements to accommodate foreign nationals exposed to Ebola.
In a Thursday statement, Maraga accused Ruto of putting American interests ahead of Kenya’s safety, sovereignty and dignity. His criticism comes as Kenya begins a 42-day countdown towards an Ebola-free declaration.
Ebola quarantine dispute revives questions over protest deaths
The proposed 50-bed centre would have accommodated US citizens potentially exposed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The plans followed outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Residents and local leaders opposed the facility because Kenya had not recorded an Ebola case at the time. They questioned the public health and economic risks of hosting it.
Two people reportedly died from police gunfire during the initial June protests in Laikipia. Further demonstrations brought reports of a third death, while several protesters and bystanders sustained injuries.
Maraga questioned why the government had defended the centre and used police force against opponents. He also criticised its adoption of a position similar to the protesters’ demands without addressing the deaths.
Meanwhile, police have yet to give a substantive public account of their response to the demonstrations. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has also faced criticism over the pace and transparency of its investigations.
IPOA documented three deaths but has not publicly issued a substantive update on its ballistic and witness investigations. Separately, the Law Society of Kenya has accused the authority of delaying investigations into alleged abuses during protests and police operations.
Kenya begins countdown towards Ebola-free status
The Ministry of Health announced the discharge of Kenya’s last Ebola patient. It also released the final 11 contacts from monitoring after they completed the required 21-day observation period.
Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case on October 6. The country recorded nine confirmed cases within one transmission cluster, while health teams traced and monitored all 135 identified contacts.
The 42-day countdown began on November 12. Under WHO guidelines, Kenya expects an Ebola-free declaration around December 23 if no new infections emerge.
Meanwhile, Duale said Kenya remained open for business, tourism, trade and travel, without restrictions on movement or public gatherings. He also urged countries with travel or visa restrictions on Kenya to review those measures.
