NAIROBI — A Kenyan high court judge on Saturday blocked a bilateral agreement with the United States to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at a domestic military airbase following intense public backlash.
Judge Patricia Nyaundi issued interim orders halting the operationalization of the isolation unit at Laikipia Airbase in central Kenya. The ruling responds to an emergency petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a local legal advocacy group that challenged the constitutional validity of the arrangement.
The legal challenge emerged after details surfaced of a diplomatic agreement between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and Kenyan officials. Under the framework, the facility would isolate asymptomatic American citizens and medical personnel exposed to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain currently circulating in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
U.S. officials stated the offshore containment strategy aims to prevent foreign transmission risks inside the United States. The policy dictates that individuals who develop active symptoms while in Kenya would be evacuated to a third country for medical treatment rather than being repatriated to U.S. soil. Coinciding with the plan, the U.S. State Department announced $13.5 million in health assistance to Kenya.
The disclosure triggered immediate opposition from Kenyan lawmakers and healthcare professionals. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union issued a 48-hour strike notice, accusing the government of endangering national biosecurity without parliamentary oversight or adequate public consultation. Local authorities in Laikipia County also stated they were not briefed on the deployment of U.S. personnel to the base.
The Kenyan Ministry of Health has not issued a formal statement regarding the court order. The World Health Organization reports that the regional Ebola outbreak has caused at least 246 deaths, though Kenya has no confirmed cases. The high court scheduled a full hearing for June 2.
