Kenya's High Court on Tuesday found Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha in contempt of court for defying a previous order to stop construction of a U.S.-funded Ebola quarantine center at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki. The ruling escalates a legal and political battle over the facility, which local communities oppose.
Court ruling and background
Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that Nakhumicha and the ministry had willfully disobeyed a June 10 order that temporarily halted work on the center until a full hearing. The minister faces potential sanctions, including a fine or imprisonment, pending a sentencing hearing set for July 6.
The case originated from a petition filed by residents and activists who argue the center was approved without proper environmental and public health assessments. They also fear the facility could expose the region to Ebola risks, despite U.S. assurances that it is designed for research and quarantine.
Government response and protests
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the ministry would appeal the contempt ruling, calling it 'procedurally flawed.' He reiterated that the center is critical for regional pandemic preparedness and that all legal procedures were followed.
The controversy has sparked protests in Nanyuki, with demonstrators clashing with police on June 9. Tear gas was used to disperse crowds. Local leaders have called for dialogue, but tensions remain high.
Impact and next steps
The contempt finding is a rare judicial rebuke of a senior official in Kenya. Legal experts say it underscores the judiciary's willingness to enforce its orders even against government ministers. The case also highlights broader concerns about foreign military and health projects in Kenya, where land rights and sovereignty are sensitive issues.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi declined to comment on the ruling, stating that construction is a matter for the Kenyan government and contractor. The center, part of a broader U.S. Africa Command initiative, is intended to bolster regional capacity to contain Ebola outbreaks.
