Court halts Ebola quarantine facility plan

The High Court in Nairobi has suspended the planned establishment of a United States-linked Ebola quarantine and treatment centre in Laikipia County, issuing conservatory orders that effectively block its implementation pending the determination of a petition filed before the court.

Justice Patricia Nyaundi on Friday directed that no government agency or official should facilitate, approve, or permit the setting up of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility in Kenya under the reported arrangement involving the United States government or any foreign entity.

The ruling also bars the admission, transfer, or facilitation of entry into Kenya of any persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the proposed framework, tightening restrictions around the controversial health arrangement that had sparked public debate.

“Upon reading the Notice of Motion dated May 28, 2026, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving establishment of any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya,” the court directed.

The judge further extended the restriction to cover all agents, officers, and representatives involved in the proposed project, effectively putting all preparatory activities on hold until the case is fully heard and determined.

The case was filed by the Katiba Institute, which moved to court seeking urgent intervention to stop the project, arguing that it poses serious public health and safety risks if allowed to proceed without full legal and regulatory scrutiny.

In its application, the lobby group raised concerns over the implications of hosting Ebola-related treatment and quarantine operations involving foreign nationals within Kenyan territory, warning that the move could expose the country to heightened risk if not properly regulated.

The petition argues that the establishment of such a facility should not proceed until constitutional and public health safeguards are fully assessed by the court, citing the need to protect citizens from potential exposure to highly infectious diseases.

The conservatory orders now mean that no further steps can be taken to operationalise or advance the proposed Ebola centre until the High Court delivers a substantive ruling on the matter.

The matter is expected to return to court for mention and further directions as parties prepare to argue the petition in full.

The ruling comes at a time when regional discussions on Ebola containment and cross-border health cooperation have intensified, with governments and health agencies weighing strategies to manage outbreaks while balancing national safety concerns.