Kenya minister found in contempt of court over US-backed Ebola centre

Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale has ordered the suspension of construction of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at a military base in Nanyuki, following a court ruling that found him in contempt for continuing the project despite a judicial order to halt it. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from local activists and medical professionals, who argue the facility poses unnecessary risks to public health and reflects a neo-colonial approach to managing the crisis. The facility, initially planned to house U.S. citizens infected with Ebola while returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has become a focal point of tension between the Kenyan government and civil society.

The dispute began when a rights organization, the Katiba Institute, filed a petition in May to block the construction of the 50-bed isolation center at the Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki. The institute argued that the facility was built without proper consultation and posed grave threats to public safety. On June 16, the High Court issued an order halting the construction until the petition could be fully considered. Despite this, the government continued with preparatory work, leading to the court finding Duale in contempt of court on June 20. The judge, Patricia Nyaundi Mande, warned the minister against further disobedience and scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 21.

Duale appeared in court on June 21 and apologized, stating that he had now directed the immediate and full cessation of all construction and site preparation activities at the facility. His statement emphasized that the project would remain suspended until the court resolved the petition or issued further instructions. While the minister maintained that his actions were based on scientific evidence and expert advice, the judge criticized the government for attempting to circumvent the court order by reframing the nature of the ongoing activities. She stressed that the court’s directive was clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for reinterpretation.

Protests against the facility have erupted in Nanyuki, with demonstrations turning violent. Three individuals have been killed during these confrontations, including a 17-year-old boy named Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u, whose family claims he was shot in the head by police. Authorities have not yet released official findings on the causes of death. Protesters argue that Kenya has no history of Ebola cases and that hosting a quarantine center for foreign nationals is both unnecessary and risky. They accuse the government of prioritizing the interests of the United States over the safety of Kenyan citizens.

The U.S. government has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts, though some critics view this funding as an attempt to exert influence over the region’s health policies. The U.S. State Department expressed optimism that the legal challenges could be resolved amicably with Kenyan authorities. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the DRC’s outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 20, although experts suggest the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks prior. Modeling by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the current outbreak could surpass previous records, making the situation even more urgent.

President William Ruto has publicly supported the facility, arguing that Kenya must cooperate with the U.S. to address the global health threat. He urged Kenyans not to politicize the issue, emphasizing the seriousness of the Ebola outbreak. However, medical professionals and advocacy groups have voiced strong opposition, with Dr. Davji Atellah of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union stating that Kenya should not be treated as a dumping ground for infectious diseases. The debate highlights deep-seated concerns about sovereignty, transparency, and the ethical implications of allowing foreign nations to manage health crises within Kenyan territory.

As the legal battle continues, the future of the facility remains uncertain. With the court having mandated a pause in construction, the focus will likely shift to resolving the underlying legal and social tensions. Whether the Kenyan government will ultimately comply with the court’s directives or seek alternative solutions remains unclear, but the incident underscores the complex interplay between public health policy, legal accountability, and national pride in times of crisis.