Nairobi, Kenya — On June 22, 2026, Kenya’s High Court declared Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt for proceeding with the construction of an Ebola quarantine facility for US nationals, despite several court orders to halt activities.
The planned facility at the Laikipia Air Base, near Nanyuki, Kenya, has not been welcomed by the local population, which fears the importation of the virus into a country with no recorded cases.
The construction, intended for US nationals exposed to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, led to protests by hundreds of Kenyans, including healthcare workers who criticized the Kenyan government’s decision to accept a $13. 5 million contribution from the US for Ebola preparedness as a form of endorsement of the facility. Justice Patricia Nyaundi Mande emphasized the court’s stance, noting, “The Court cannot permit its orders to be rendered hollow. “.
Multiple orders to halt the construction were issued in late May and early June, which were disregarded by Duale.
The public sentiment is clear: concerns over the potential importation of the virus are outweighing the government’s international partnership objectives. President William Ruto’s support for the facility as part of a long-standing agreement with the US has further fueled the controversy.
The court’s decision underscores the tensions between the government’s desire to secure international partnerships and the public’s health and safety concerns.
The legal battle over the facility’s future highlights the complexities faced by governments when balancing public health with international relations.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: AFP and Reuters
