Kenya Stops US‑Backed Ebola Quarantine Centre After Court Contempt Ruling

Wed Jun 24 2026 07:54:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Health Minister Aden Duale halts controversial construction after being found in contempt of court, sparking protests that claimed three lives, including a 17‑year‑old boy.

Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale has ordered the immediate halt of the US‑funded 50‑bed Ebola quarantine centre at Nanyuki, following a High Court ruling that he had ignored a compliance order and was found in contempt. Duale apologised in court and announced a full stop of building work, a decision that mirrors nationwide debate over the centre’s safety and the US funding it supports. The project has already inflamed local protests, where police intervention left three people dead, one of whom was Sylvester Muigai Ndung’u, a schoolboy. Legal experts argue the construction must comply with court orders, while some Kenyan leaders see the site as critical for protecting national health amid the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident highlights tensions between government ambition, international aid, and civil society demands for legal accountability.

Health Minister Aden Duale announced the immediate stop of the US‑backed 50‑bed Ebola quarantine centre in Nanyuki after a High Court found him in contempt for ignoring a prior order.

In a brief court apology, Duale told the judge he had “directly and completely stopped” construction at the military base site. The facility, aimed at housing U.S. citizens suspected of Ebola, had already seen work continue despite a May ruling from the Katiba Institute that called its purpose a “grave risk to public health.”

Duale’s decision comes amid growing protests in the town, where police clashes left three people dead, including 17‑year‑old Sylvester Muigai Ndung’u. Witnesses claim he was shot in the head, though the police have not yet released a post‑mortem report.

The court’s stern warning to Duale—who said he would never defy an order again—underscores a legal battle that pits government health policy against the rule of law. Lawyers had pushed for a 15‑month sentence, arguing the minister deliberately ignored a court order.

Duale cited scientific advice that the base’s distance from populated areas and strict access controls mitigate risks. President William Ruto has defended the centre, saying refusal of U.S. funding would be “inhuman.”

Kenya has not recorded an Ebola case yet, but U.S. aid of $13.5m supports regional preparedness in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has over 1,000 confirmed cases. The U.S. commitment totals $112m toward the outbreak response.

The incident spotlights tensions between international health aid, national sovereignty, and public safety, raising questions about how best to protect citizens without compromising legal integrity and community trust.