Residents of Nanyuki town in Kenya have expressed anger and fear over plans by the United States to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base.

The facility, located near Mount Kenya, is reportedly intended to quarantine Americans arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak.

According to reports, the centre will contain 50 isolation beds and will be managed by American personnel.

Locals are questioning why Kenya, which has never recorded a single Ebola case, should host the quarantine facility.

“It is endangering our lives and our business,” said Nicholas, a local souvenir vendor.

Residents also criticised what they described as neo-colonial behaviour, arguing that the United States should handle Ebola cases within its own territory instead of transferring the risk to Kenya.

Laikipia County Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, condemned the project, describing it as contrary to Kenya’s sovereignty and self-governance principles.

“The proposed establishment of the Ebola quarantine hospital in Laikipia is against the Madaraka principle. That is neo-colonialism,” he said.

Hundreds of residents reportedly protested outside the military base earlier this week, while rights groups claimed two people died during the unrest, although details surrounding the deaths remain unclear.

Despite the backlash, Kenyan President William Ruto defended the partnership with the United States, saying the country has benefited from decades of American support in the health sector.

“It would be most unfortunate if, on one request by the Americans to set up a facility at their cost, we refused. We would look very inhuman,” Ruto said.

The controversy comes after Kenya and the US signed a health agreement last year involving the sharing of health data in exchange for billions of dollars in aid.

The US government has reportedly pledged $13.5 million towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.

However, many Kenyans remain worried that the country’s healthcare system may struggle if an outbreak occurs.

“As a still-developing country, we have limited containment capacity. Our public health sector is in shambles,” a nurse in Nairobi reportedly said anonymously.

Another protest against the quarantine facility has been scheduled for next week as tensions continue to rise in the area.