Kenya Freezes US-Backed Ebola Facility After Court Rebuke Sparks Political Storm
Nairobi – Kenya has ordered an immediate halt to preparations for a U.S.-supported Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, Health Minister Aden Duale told a court on Tuesday, after being held in contempt for failing to comply with an earlier judicial order suspending work on the project.
The facility, located about 200 km (125 miles) north of Nairobi, was being developed to accommodate potential U.S. citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is battling a significant Ebola outbreak. The center was designed with approximately 50 isolation beds and was expected to be operated by U.S. medical personnel.
The project has triggered strong public opposition since its announcement in May, with critics questioning both the decision-making process and the prospect of hosting individuals potentially exposed to Ebola in a country that has never recorded a confirmed case of the disease.
Rights organizations petitioned Kenya’s High Court, arguing that authorities had proceeded with the project without adequate public consultation or transparency. The court subsequently ordered a suspension of work, but government agencies continued preparations at the site.
On Monday, the court ruled that Duale was in contempt for failing to comply with or respond to the earlier order and directed him to appear for sentencing.
Appearing before the court on Tuesday, Duale apologized and said he had instructed officials to cease all activities linked to the facility.
“I have directed the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparation, or related activities concerning the Laikipia Air Base facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive petition or until further orders of this court,” Duale told the court.
The controversy has fueled protests in Laikipia County, where demonstrators have voiced concerns about public health risks and government transparency. According to authorities, three people have been killed during unrest linked to opposition to the project.
The United States has pledged $13.5 million to strengthen Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response capabilities. However, opponents of the quarantine center have also criticized what they describe as unequal arrangements that would see Kenya host a facility intended for foreign evacuees.
The legal challenge against the project remains before the court, which will determine whether the facility can proceed once the substantive petition is heard.
