Court Suspends Facility Opening
A court in Kenya has temporarily stopped the planned opening of a quarantine centre for United States nationals amid concerns over transparency and public safety.
The ruling followed a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a Kenyan rights group.
According to the court order issued on Friday, authorities must halt the establishment of any Ebola quarantine or treatment facility in the country until further hearings.
Facility Linked to Congo Ebola Outbreak
The centre was expected to begin operations on Friday.
US officials planned to use the facility to quarantine Americans arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where health authorities continue to battle a major Ebola outbreak.
The proposed isolation centre was located at Laikipia Air Base, about 200 kilometres from Nairobi.
Officials said the facility would contain 50 isolation beds and operate under the supervision of US medical personnel.
Rights Group Raises Constitutional Concerns
Katiba Institute argued that the project lacked public consultation and transparency.
The group claimed authorities established the facility secretly and without proper legal procedures.
According to the petition, the arrangement raised serious constitutional and public health concerns.
The case has also intensified debate over Kenya’s health cooperation agreement with the United States signed in December last year.
Doctors’ Union Condemns Move
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union also criticised the proposed quarantine centre.
The union accused the government of risking citizens’ safety in exchange for foreign assistance.
Additionally, Kenyan doctors threatened industrial action unless officials release details of the agreement publicly.
Government Yet to Respond Fully
Kenya’s health ministry confirmed its willingness to cooperate with international partners, including the US.
However, officials have not directly answered questions surrounding the quarantine facility.
The court has now given the Kenyan government 48 hours to respond to the petition.
Meanwhile, the matter will return to court on June 2 for further proceedings.
Kenya Records No Ebola Cases
Kenya has intensified health screening at airports and border entry points since the Ebola outbreak worsened in Congo.
Authorities said the country has not recorded any Ebola cases linked to the current outbreak.
Health officials continue to monitor travellers entering the country as precautionary measures remain in place.
