The High Court has ordered Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to appear before it on June 23 over alleged contempt of court relating to the controversial Ebola facility being constructed in Laikipia.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi issued the summons after the court determined that conservatory orders previously issued in the matter may have been breached, with reports indicating that construction work continued despite restrictions imposed by the court.
Court documents show that the case arises from a contempt application filed by Katiba Institute, which asked the court to intervene in the implementation of the project, understood to be a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility.
"Justice Patricia Nyaundi ruled that the government has deliberately violated existing conservatory orders by allowing construction to continue on the proposed US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base," Katiba Institute stated.
"The Court has summoned CS Duale to appear in court tomorrow, June 23, at 11:00 am to explain the failure to comply with the previous court orders."
In its observations, the court acknowledged that some project-related documents had been disclosed.
However, it raised concerns over the lack of environmental and social impact assessments, as well as safety contingency plans, among the materials presented.
Katiba Institute maintained that proceeding with construction despite court directives weakens judicial authority and contravenes constitutional provisions on public participation and environmental protection.
The court is expected to determine whether the government complied with earlier directives that halted or limited further work at the site pending full legal and environmental compliance.
The project, a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, has generated significant legal and public debate across the country.
According to the court, construction activities continued after orders were issued to stop the works, a development that legal analysts argue could amount to a serious disregard of judicial authority.
Duale is scheduled to appear before Justice Nyaundi at 11:00 am on Tuesday to explain the government's actions regarding the court's previous orders.
The project, valued at Ksh1.75 billion (USD13.5 million), is intended to bolster Kenya's Ebola preparedness and strengthen broader health system capacity amid growing regional concerns.
The funding forms part of a larger Ksh14.5 billion (USD112 million) bilateral assistance programme for East Africa and includes plans for a 50-bed quarantine unit at Laikipia Air Base for Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, the government has defended the agreement, saying it is designed to enhance national preparedness.
Officials have noted that 23 quarantine facilities are already operational and that thousands of screenings have been conducted at entry points nationwide.
