A major showdown is brewing in court as Health CS Aden Duale has been ordered to personally appear before the High Court over allegations that the government ignored court orders and continued construction of the controversial US-backed Ebola facility in Laikipia.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi summoned Duale to appear on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. after the court found that work on the project may have continued despite conservatory orders stopping further construction.
The explosive case was brought by Katiba Institute, which accuses the government of defying the judiciary by pushing ahead with the Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
According to court documents, concerns were also raised over missing environmental and social impact assessments, as well as the lack of clear safety contingency plans linked to the project.
Katiba Institute argued that continuing construction despite court orders undermines the rule of law and violates constitutional requirements on public participation and environmental protection.
The KSh1.75 billion facility has sparked intense debate across the country. The project, funded through a larger US-East Africa health assistance package, is intended to strengthen Ebola preparedness and includes plans for a 50-bed quarantine unit for Americans potentially exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite the controversy, the government insists the project is about strengthening Kenya’s health security and maintaining preparedness against possible regional outbreaks.
All eyes are now on the High Court as Duale prepares to explain why the government allegedly failed to comply with the court’s directives in one of the most closely watched legal battles surrounding the Ebola facility.