Kenya's Health Minister Cited for Contempt in Ebola Center Case

WHO:

BBC News - Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale was found in contempt of court.

ABC News - The Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute filed a case against the construction of the facility.

WHAT:

BBC News - The High Court ordered Aden Duale to stop building work on a controversial US-funded Ebola facility.

ABC News - The High Court found Duale in contempt of court for failing to halt construction of the Ebola quarantine facility.

ABC News - The U.S. has pledged approximately $13 million toward the partnership for the facility.

ABC News - At least three people were reportedly killed by gunfire during protests against the facility.

WHERE:

BBC News - The facility is located at the Laikipia Air Base in Kenya.

ABC News - Residents near Laikipia Air Base reported seeing U.S. military aircraft landing.

WHEN:

ABC News - The High Court ordered Duale to appear for sentencing on the following Tuesday.

ABC News - The court issued its suspension order on May 29.

WHY:

ABC News - The petitioners argued that Kenya’s healthcare system is already overstretched and may be unable to manage foreign Ebola patients safely.

ABC News - Public opposition intensified after the U.S. announced that American Ebola patients would not be repatriated and would instead be quarantined abroad.

HOW:

ABC News - The U.S. embassy stated that the quarantine center posed no risk to locals and that they were “actively working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections.”

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 18:27 UTC)

Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale has been found in contempt of court for failing to stop the construction of a controversial U.S.-funded Ebola facility at Laikipia Air Base. The High Court ordered Duale to appear for sentencing on the following Tuesday, as public opposition to the facility has grown amid concerns that Kenya's healthcare system may struggle to manage foreign Ebola patients safely. Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy has assured locals that the quarantine center poses no risk and that they are actively collaborating with the Kenyan government to address any objections.