Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale on Wednesday confirmed that a US-funded Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Air Base would proceed, defying opposition from residents of the nearby town of Nanyuki. The decision followed days of deadly protests over the project.

The facility, built at the airbase, is intended to isolate both US and Kenyan citizens arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is battling a deadly Ebola outbreak. Many in Nanyuki view the centre as a threat to their safety.

Atho Halakhe, a student, voiced the prevailing anxiety: “I think opening an Ebola facility in Kenya is not a good idea because it’s a very dangerous disease.”

Speaking in parliament, Duale dismissed fears the centre would be “exclusive”. “Quarantine is not only for Americans. Even Kenyans will be isolated at the facility,” he said. He added: “Laikipia airbase is one of the 23 quarantine isolation centres we are building. And we will not stop it.”

Kenyans are angry their territory is being used by a foreign power in a way that has colonial undertones, and over the risk of Ebola spreading.