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Kenyan court finds minister in contempt over US Ebola site
TL;DR
Kenya's High Court has found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt for proceeding with a quarantine facility for US nationals infected with Ebola, despite court orders to halt construction. The facility was planned at Laikipia Air Base, but has faced public protests due to Kenya's lack of Ebola infections.
Key points
- Kenya's High Court found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt
- Construction of a quarantine facility for US nationals was ordered to halt
- Facility planned at Laikipia Air Base for Ebola exposure cases
- Kenya has recorded no Ebola infections
- Public protests occurred against the facility
Mentioned in this story
Aden DualeLaikipia Air BaseNanyuki
Ebola
Kenya’s High Court has found the health minister in contempt for moving ahead with construction plans for a quarantine facility for United States nationals infected with the Ebola virus in violation of court orders.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi Mande said on Monday that Health Minister Aden Duale had commissioned construction at the site in central Kenya despite multiple orders issued in late May and early June to halt activities.
“The Court cannot permit its orders to be rendered hollow,” she wrote, according to Reuters.
It was planned for US nationals exposed to the virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to be housed at the Laikipia Air Base near the town of Nanyuki.
However, with Kenya having recorded no infections, the plan sparked protests last month by hundreds of Kenyans against the proposed facility.
Civilians and healthcare workers have expressed anger over the prospect of importing the virus and criticised the Kenyan government’s acceptance of a $13.5m Ebola preparedness contribution from the US as whitewashing the deal.
President William Ruto said he “gave the okay” for the site “because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years”.
The court ordered construction to stop after complaints by the Katiba Institute rights group, which argued the centre was being developed secretly and without consultation.
The NGO has demanded details of the deal, including health and biosafety assessments, regulatory approvals and operational protocols.
Despite the rulings, Duale insisted the facility would proceed, telling parliament earlier this month that the government “will not stop it”.
Duale is due to appear in court on Tuesday for mitigation and sentencing. Contempt of court carries a maximum fine of 200,000 shillings ($1,500), and/or six months in jail.
The Ebola outbreak was confirmed in DRC in May. It led to 896 confirmed cases and at least 232 deaths as of June 17, according to the World Health Organization.
Uganda – which neighbours Kenya – has reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
At least 75 healthcare workers in DRC have contracted the virus, with 17 deaths recorded.
Q&A
What did the Kenyan High Court rule regarding the health minister?
The Kenyan High Court ruled that Health Minister Aden Duale was in contempt for continuing construction on a quarantine facility despite court orders to stop.
Why was the quarantine facility for US nationals controversial in Kenya?
The facility was controversial because it was planned in a country with no recorded Ebola infections, leading to protests from the public.
Where was the proposed Ebola quarantine facility located in Kenya?
The proposed Ebola quarantine facility was to be located at Laikipia Air Base near the town of Nanyuki.
