A Kenyan court has temporarily blocked the establishment and operation of any Ebola-related quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility linked to the United States government in the country, in a major ruling issued by the High Court in Nairobi.
In conservatory orders issued on Thursday, May 28, the Milimani High Court restrained the State Law Office and other respondents from facilitating any Ebola-related arrangement involving the United States or any foreign government pending the hearing of a petition filed by Katiba Institute.
The orders, issued by Justice P.M. Nyaundi, also barred the government from admitting, transferring, receiving, or facilitating the entry into Kenya of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the disputed arrangement.
“Being persuaded that the public interest favours granting interim orders, it is hereby ordered,” part of the ruling read.
The court further directed the respondents to file their response to the petition within 48 hours, with the matter set for mention on June 2, 2026.
The explosive court intervention comes amid growing public scrutiny and political debate over reports that Kenya had approved the construction of a United States-funded Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base.
President William Ruto has since announced the formation of a National Response Committee to coordinate Kenya’s preparedness and response measures following Ebola outbreaks reported in neighbouring countries.
In a statement issued after a high-level meeting at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said the committee would operate under the leadership of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.
“The Government will establish a National Response Committee under the leadership of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to coordinate a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” Ruto stated.
According to the President, the committee will spearhead public awareness campaigns, strengthen preparedness, and mobilise technical and financial resources to address any eventualities arising from the outbreak.
The announcement came amid mounting public scrutiny over the government’s decision to approve a United States-backed Ebola quarantine and treatment centre at the Laikipia Air Base.
Washington has pledged Ksh1.74 billion towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts following a phone conversation between President Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday.
The proposed facility has triggered criticism from sections of the public, civil society groups, and health stakeholders, with concerns emerging over transparency, public safety, and the nature of the agreement between Kenya and the United States.
Katiba Institute, which moved to court under a certificate of urgency, argued that the arrangement posed an “imminent threat to life” if conservatory orders were not issued immediately.
The court appeared to agree that the matter raised urgent public interest concerns, certifying the application as urgent before issuing interim orders.
Among the key directives, the court specifically restrained the respondents from “establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving or permitting” any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility tied to the United States or any foreign entity until the petition is heard and determined.
The ruling now places the controversial plan on hold and is likely to intensify national debate over foreign-funded health and security projects operating within Kenya.
