Kenya's high court on Monday found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt of court for defying an order to halt construction of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility intended for US citizens. The facility, built at Laikipia Air Base about 200 kilometers from Nairobi, includes 50 isolation beds and is expected to be staffed by US medical personnel.
Court Order Defied
The court had previously ordered construction to stop after the Katiba Institute, a rights group, filed a complaint arguing the facility was being developed secretly without public consultation. Despite this, Duale insisted the project would proceed, telling parliament earlier this month: "We will not stop it." The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), also involved in the petition, confirmed the contempt finding, stating: "Public authorities are not at liberty to determine which aspects of judicial directives they will comply with."
Deadly Protests Erupt
The facility, announced in May for potential US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo amid a major Ebola outbreak, has sparked strong opposition among Kenyans. Deadly protests have occurred since the announcement, reflecting deep public anger over the project. The court has ordered Duale to appear on Tuesday for mitigation and sentencing, with contempt of court carrying a maximum fine of 200,000 shillings ($1,500) and/or six months in jail.
