A growing debate over a planned Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya has taken a new turn after the United States government responded to a court decision that temporarily stopped the project from moving forward.
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, said it was aware of the legal challenge filed in Kenya and was already engaging with Kenyan authorities to address the issues raised. In a statement released on Saturday, May 30, American officials expressed confidence that the concerns surrounding the proposed facility could be resolved through consultations.
The response came shortly after the High Court issued orders suspending the establishment of an Ebola-related facility at Laikipia Air Base.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi directed that no Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment centre linked to the U.S. government or any foreign agency should be set up in Kenya until the case before the court is heard and determined.
The court also barred the admission, transfer, reception, or facilitation of entry into Kenya of any person exposed to or infected with Ebola under the reported arrangement. The orders will remain in place pending further directions from the court.
The case was filed by Katiba Institute, which argued that the proposed project raises serious constitutional, public health, and national security questions. According to the lobby group, the issues involved require full judicial review before any implementation can take place.
After certifying the matter as urgent, Justice Nyaundi ordered all respondents to file their responses within 48 hours of being served. The petitioner was also granted permission to submit a supplementary affidavit within one day after receiving the responses.
The court further warned that anyone found violating the conservatory orders could face legal consequences for contempt of court.
Reports indicate that the proposed facility was expected to begin operations within days and was planned as a 50-bed field hospital. It was also expected to be staffed by personnel from the U.S. Public Health Service, with teams reportedly undergoing specialised training at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before deployment to Kenya.
The development comes at a time when Kenya and the United States are strengthening cooperation on Ebola preparedness. Just days earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with President William Ruto, during which the two leaders discussed the ongoing Ebola outbreak and response efforts.
During the conversation, the United States pledged about KSh1.74 billion to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness initiatives.
