Kenyan high court suspends US-backed Ebola quarantine facility over public health concerns

KENYA—The High Court has temporarily stopped the Kenyan government from establishing or operating any Ebola quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility in partnership with the United States pending the hearing and determination of a legal petition.

The court also barred the government from admitting, transferring, or facilitating the entry of Ebola-exposed or infected individuals into Kenya under the proposed arrangement until the matter is fully heard.

The conservatory orders followed an urgent petition filed by the Katiba Institute, which challenged the legality and safety of the reported agreement between Kenya and foreign governments, particularly the United States, regarding Ebola management protocols.

The court directed all respondents to file their responses within 48 hours, with the matter expected to be mentioned once parties comply with the timelines set by the judiciary.

The Law Society of Kenya has separately filed its own case seeking to nullify any agreements signed between Kenya and the United States concerning the proposed facility.

According to the society, Kenya currently lacks the high-containment infrastructure required to safely manage highly infectious diseases such as Ebola, exposing citizens to unnecessary health risks.

Kenya does not currently operate a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory, the highest level of containment for dangerous pathogens such as Ebola.

The country operates only Biosafety Level 1-3 laboratories, including three BSL-3 facilities nationwide.

U.S. Commits US13.5M to Ebola Preparedness

The legal battle comes shortly after the United States announced plans to commit US$13.5 million (Ksh1.75 billion) toward strengthening Kenya’s Ebola preparedness systems.

The funding commitment followed discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President William Ruto as concerns grow over the regional Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Reuters recently reported that the Trump administration had considered transferring American citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for monitoring and treatment instead of repatriating them to the United States.

According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Washington also plans to build on existing bilateral support totaling US$112 million directed toward the broader regional Ebola response.

The two governments discussed securing essential medical supplies and strengthening Kenya’s healthcare preparedness systems.

Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination as the public health situation evolves, citing the long-standing U.S.-Kenya health partnership as critical to regional disease response efforts.

Recent reports also indicated that the proposed facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki would initially include a 50-bed quarantine unit with possible future expansion.

Ruto forms National Ebola Response Committee

As public concern intensified, President William Ruto announced the formation of a National Response Committee to coordinate Kenya’s preparedness and response strategy against possible Ebola emergencies.

In a statement issued on May 28, Ruto said Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi would lead the committee, which will oversee a whole-of-government approach focused on public awareness, preparedness, and mobilization of technical and financial resources.

The president announced the committee following a high-level meeting at State House, Nairobi, attended by ambassadors, development partners, multilateral agencies, and international stakeholders to assess Kenya’s readiness and regional containment measures.

Representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, France, Germany, China, Japan, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Türkiye attended the meeting alongside officials from the United Nations Office in Nairobi.

Medical professionals demand transparency

Meanwhile, the proposed quarantine facility has sparked strong criticism from healthcare workers and advocacy groups.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding full disclosure of the U.S.-Kenya agreement.

The union warned that it could organize nationwide industrial action if the government continued negotiations without involving healthcare stakeholders or strengthening the country’s health systems.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah described the negotiations as “backdoor dealings,” warning that Kenya’s biosecurity and public safety could be compromised in exchange for foreign financial support.

“Kenya is a sovereign republic, not a geopolitical isolation ward,” the union stated. “We will not sit back and watch Kenya be treated as a containment colony for a lethal pathogen that we did not generate.”

Internationally, officials within the U.S  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) has expressed reservations about the arrangement.

Reports indicate that some CDC officials feared the plan could complicate staffing and recruitment efforts for ongoing Ebola response operations.

Health Ministry Defends Kenya’s Preparedness

In response to mounting criticism, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya remains engaged in discussions with the U.S. government and other international partners to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease and emerging public health threats.

Duale emphasized that all international health cooperation would remain subject to Kenyan laws, biosafety standards, and the government’s constitutional obligation to protect citizens.

“Protection of Kenyan citizens, frontline health workers, and communities remains paramount,” Duale stated.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga also defended the country’s readiness, saying Kenya had significantly strengthened its infectious disease response capacity following investments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Ministry of Health, the country has already activated its national Incident Management System, intensified screening at all entry points, and enhanced surveillance and laboratory testing systems.

Authorities say more than 55,000 travelers have undergone screening at various entry points, while all ten suspected Ebola cases tested in Kenya have returned negative results.

Kenya had not confirmed any Ebola cases as of May 28.

Regional outbreak raises alarm

The current Ebola outbreak remains concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where health authorities and the World Health Organization continue to intensify containment efforts. Uganda has also confirmed several cases linked to the outbreak.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently traveled to the DRC to support response operations as health officials warned that ongoing insecurity and displacement continue to complicate containment efforts in the region.