Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki, following legal pressure over the government’s failure to comply with a court ruling.
The decision came a day after the High Court found the minister in contempt for allowing work on the project to continue despite an earlier judicial order suspending construction. Appearing before the court on Tuesday, Duale issued an apology and confirmed that all activities at the site had been stopped.
The planned 50-bed isolation center, located within a military installation in Nanyuki, is intended to accommodate US citizens suspected of being exposed to Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Last month, the High Court ordered a temporary suspension of the project pending the hearing of a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a rights organization that raised concerns about the facility’s potential impact on public health and community safety.
However, a judge ruled on Monday that the ministry had failed to comply with that directive and had allowed construction work to continue. In response, Duale acknowledged the court’s concerns and expressed regret for any misunderstanding or actions that may have suggested non-compliance.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi accepted the minister’s apology but issued a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of respecting court orders.
Recent satellite images indicated that construction activities had continued after the suspension order. The images showed additional tents, expanded paved areas, and newly cleared land around the site, suggesting ongoing development.
The project has sparked significant opposition in Nanyuki, a town located about 140 kilometers north of Nairobi. Demonstrations against the facility have intensified in recent weeks, resulting in clashes with security forces.
Three people have reportedly died during the protests. Among them was 17-year-old Sylvester Muigai Ndung’u, a student who aspired to become a priest. Witnesses claimed he was shot in the head, although police said investigations and post-mortem examinations were still underway to establish the exact cause of death.
The Katiba Institute argues that the quarantine center could expose local communities to unnecessary health risks. Nevertheless, Duale defended the project, insisting that all decisions taken by the ministry were guided by scientific evidence and expert advice.
According to the minister, fears that the facility could introduce Ebola into nearby communities are unfounded. He noted that the center is being built within a military airbase, far from densely populated areas and protected by strict security and access controls.
The health ministry had previously argued that any work carried out after the court ruling was being undertaken solely by the Kenyan government to strengthen national preparedness against Ebola. The court rejected that argument, stating that government agencies could not reinterpret or bypass a direct judicial order.
President William Ruto has also publicly defended the initiative, saying the United States requested Kenya’s assistance in establishing the facility and that rejecting such a request would have been irresponsible. He urged political leaders to avoid turning a serious public health issue into a political debate.
The controversy has drawn criticism from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), one of the country’s largest medical organizations. Union leaders questioned why Kenya was selected to host a quarantine center intended for American citizens potentially exposed to the virus.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah argued that Kenya should not be treated as a containment site for a disease outbreak originating elsewhere and called for greater transparency regarding the agreement.
As of Monday, Kenya had not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases. The current outbreak has primarily affected the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported more than 1,000 confirmed infections, while neighboring Uganda has registered 20 confirmed cases, most linked to cross-border transmission.
The United States has pledged $13.5 million in support of Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts. The funding forms part of a broader $112 million regional response package aimed at helping East African countries manage and contain the outbreak.
About the author
Le Togo renforce la gouvernance du secteur halieutique
Le Togo poursuit ses efforts pour moderniser son secteur halieutique avec l'ouverture, le 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, d'un atelier national consacré à l'amélioration de la gouvernance de la pêche et de l'aquaculture. Pendant quatre jours, des représentants des administrations publiques, des professionnels du secteur et des partenaires techniques examinent les réformes nécessaires pour aligner la stratégie nationale sur le Cadre politique et de la stratégie de réforme de la pêche et de l'aquaculture (CPSR) de l'Union africaine. Organisée dans le cadre de la deuxième phase du projet FishGov2, avec le soutien financier de l'Union européenne (UE), cette rencontre vise à renforcer la gestion durable des ressources halieutiques et à accélérer le développement du secteur. Évaluer les politiques nationales Les participants analysent la conformité des politiques togolaises avec les orientations de l'Union africaine afin d'identifier les points forts, les insuffisances […]
Le Togo obtient un appui de la BAD pour l’industrie
Le Togo fait partie des cinq pays africains sélectionnés pour bénéficier d'un financement de 3,48 millions de dollars approuvé par le Fonds africain de développement (FAD), le guichet concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (BAD). Ce financement profitera également au Cameroun, au Tchad, aux Comores et à Madagascar. Il vise à renforcer les politiques industrielles et commerciales de ces pays tout en accélérant la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf). Le projet prévoit notamment la réalisation d'études sur l'Initiative pour le développement industriel accéléré de l'Afrique (AIDA). Il permettra aussi de renforcer les capacités des administrations publiques afin de concevoir des politiques basées sur des données fiables, tout en intégrant les enjeux liés au climat, à l'égalité des genres et au développement des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Selon la Banque africaine […]
Lomé accueille le Forum sur la protection des données
Lomé accueille depuis le 28 juillet 2026 la deuxième édition du Forum international sur la protection des données à caractère personnel, un rendez-vous qui réunit des experts, des régulateurs et des professionnels du numérique autour des défis liés à la protection des données dans un environnement numérique en pleine évolution. L'événement, qui s'achève le 29 juillet, rassemble des spécialistes de la cybersécurité, de la gouvernance des données et de la transformation numérique, ainsi que des représentants des secteurs public et privé venus du Togo et de plusieurs pays de la sous-région. Placée sous le thème « Sécuriser le capital confiance, maîtriser les risques », cette édition met l'accent sur les stratégies permettant de renforcer la confiance numérique tout en protégeant les informations personnelles des citoyens et des organisations. Les discussions portent notamment sur les évolutions des réglementations, les défis liés […]
Palakiyem Assih prend la tête du conseil de CDA
Le Togolais Palakiyem Assih a été nommé président du Conseil d'administration de Cyber Defense Africa (CDA), a annoncé l'entreprise le 28 juillet 2026. Cette nomination marque une nouvelle étape dans la carrière de ce spécialiste de la cybersécurité, impliqué dans le développement de l'entreprise depuis sa création en 2019. Avant d'accéder à cette fonction, Palakiyem Assih occupait le poste de directeur technique (Chief Technology Officer - CTO) de Cyber Defense Africa. Il dirigeait également le CERT.tg, le centre national chargé de la réponse aux incidents de cybersécurité au Togo. Au fil des années, il a joué un rôle important dans le renforcement des capacités du pays en matière de cybersécurité et dans le développement des activités techniques de l'entreprise. Le cofondateur et directeur général de Cyber Defense Africa, Simon Melchior, a salué cette nomination, estimant qu'elle récompense l'engagement, le professionnalisme […]
Togo : les projets Banque mondiale sous évaluation
Le gouvernement togolais souhaite améliorer la performance des projets réalisés avec le soutien de la Banque mondiale afin d'assurer un meilleur impact sur les populations. Le mardi 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, les coordinateurs des projets du portefeuille Togo–Banque mondiale ont participé à une réunion d'évaluation présidée par la ministre, Secrétaire générale de la Présidence du Conseil, Sandra Johnson. Cette rencontre s'inscrit dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de la feuille de route gouvernementale 2026-2031. L'objectif principal de cette revue était de comparer l'état d'avancement des projets et les niveaux de décaissement avec les résultats obtenus sur le terrain. Les autorités veulent désormais s'assurer que les investissements financés profitent réellement aux bénéficiaires et améliorent leurs conditions de vie. Premier partenaire technique et financier du Togo, la Banque mondiale intervient dans plusieurs secteurs clés, notamment les infrastructures, l'éducation, la […]
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]
Related
US hopeful Hormuz Strait deal will be done ‘today or tomorrow’ after ship hit
Washington is expressing optimism that talks involving Iran and Oman will soon restore safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil supplies. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC there is “a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict,” saying any agreement would ensure freedom of movement rather than allow Iran to charge tolls. His comments echoed President Donald Trump, who said progress in talks had led him to hold off on further military strikes while negotiators work on a framework to reopen the waterway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is “involved” in negotiations between Oman and Iran aimed at increasing safe traffic through the strait, noting that around 20 per cent of global […]
Iran denies negotiating with US after Trump announces talks
Tehran rejected Trump’s claim that talks were set to begin as part of efforts to end the conflict, saying no negotiations are currently taking place with Washington. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the country is “not currently negotiating with the United States,” adding that Iran’s talks are instead with Oman over passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came after Trump said he had postponed further strikes to allow diplomacy to continue and claimed new discussions would start Monday. The exchange came amid a war that Reuters described as being in its sixth month, with tensions also affecting oil markets after Trump’s remarks. Iran’s response suggests there is still a gap between Washington’s public claims and Tehran’s position on the status of talks.
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]
Hamas agrees to disarm under Trump plan, but no word from Israel
The Palestinian Islamist movement says it accepts a ceasefire roadmap that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and a staged Israeli pullout from Gaza, while Israel remains unconvinced the proposal meets its security demands. Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to a deal unveiled by President Trump, under which its weapons would be placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian body backed by Trump’s Board of Peace. The agreement is tied to a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. A senior Israeli political source told AFP that the draft did not “satisfactorily” address Israel’s demand for full demilitarisation of Gaza, insisting on the “complete disarmament of Hamas, including […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers. The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers.france24+2 The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]