A Kenyan court has ruled that the health minister is in contempt regarding the Ebola facility
Kenya’s High Court ruled on Monday that Health Minister Aden Duale was in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders to stop the construction of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at an air base in central Kenya, according to a court document.
The ruling comes in response to protests in Kenya regarding the creation of the facility, which is designed to accommodate Americans who were exposed to Ebola during the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Since the court orders, flights transporting medical equipment and specialist staff have consistently arrived at the base near the town of Nanyuki, as indicated by flight tracking data and confirmed by U.S. and diplomatic sources.
In the ruling, Justice Patricia Nyaundi Mande stated that Duale was found guilty of contempt of court for proceeding with construction at the site despite the orders issued in late May and early June. “The Court cannot allow its orders to be rendered hollow,” she remarked.
Ruto has defended the project, stating in an interview with Reuters last week that Nairobi was justified in permitting the U.S. to construct the isolation center as a component of Kenya’s comprehensive preparedness plan.
Duale was summoned to appear in court on Tuesday for the evaluation of mitigating factors and sentencing.
