C-17 Globemaster arrival comes despite High Court orders halting Ebola-related operations
A United States Air Force C-17A Globemaster III military cargo aircraft touched down in Nairobi on Friday, raising fresh concerns about Washington’s plans to establish Ebola-related facilities in Kenya despite a court-ordered halt and mounting public opposition.
The massive transport plane, bearing tail number 97-0046 and using callsign RCH275, is one of the largest military aircraft in the world. Flight records indicate the aircraft departed from the United States, made a stopover at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, before landing in Mombasa and subsequently proceeding to the capital.
Sources suggest the C-17 was carrying equipment and materials related to an Ebola treatment station planned for Kenya under a bilateral agreement with the United States.
The arrival comes at a sensitive time, as Kenya’s High Court has issued conservatory orders temporarily blocking the establishment of any Ebola-related facilities in the country involving foreign governments or agencies.
Justice Patricia Mande issued the restraining order following a petition by the Katiba Institute, a governance watchdog organization.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the Respondents from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving or permitting the establishment and/or operation of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya pursuant to any arrangement with the United States of America or any foreign government or agency pending the inter-parties hearing of this application,” Justice Mande ruled.
The planned facility has sparked widespread public outrage and concern among Kenyans, with many questioning the rationale behind hosting an Ebola treatment center when the country has not experienced an outbreak of the deadly virus.
Critics argue that the arrangement could expose Kenya to unnecessary health risks, while supporters maintain it would enhance regional preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.
The court orders remain in effect pending an inter-parties hearing on the matter. It remains unclear whether the materials aboard Friday’s military flight will be deployed or held pending the court’s final determination.
Neither the US Embassy in Nairobi nor Kenyan government officials had issued statements regarding the aircraft’s arrival at the time of publication.
