NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 12 — Former Chief Justice David Maraga has accused President William Ruto of hypocrisy over the government’s position on Ebola quarantine facilities, revisiting the deadly June protests against a planned US-linked isolation centre as Kenya begins a 42-day countdown towards being declared Ebola-free.
Maraga criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s Wednesday announcement that Kenya would not serve as a quarantine destination for any other jurisdiction, arguing that the government had previously defended arrangements to host a facility for foreign nationals exposed to Ebola.
He said the government had disregarded public opposition to the proposed centre in Laikipia, where demonstrations in June left two young Kenyans dead after police opened fire on protesters.
“President Ruto sold out Kenya’s safety, sovereignty and dignity to serve American interests,” Maraga said in a statement on Thursday, describing the government’s current position as hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy.
The protests erupted over plans to establish a 50-bed isolation and quarantine facility for US citizens potentially exposed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola during outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Residents and local leaders questioned why Kenya, which had not recorded an Ebola case at the time, should assume the public health and economic risks associated with hosting the facility.
