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.
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