Kenyan Minister Orders Halt to US Ebola Facility Amid Rising Tensions

The Kenyan health minister, Dr. Jane Nyambura, told Nairobi’s High Court on Tuesday that she had ordered an immediate stop to work on the U.S.-run Ebola quarantine complex, citing a contempt ruling that found her in breach of a previous injunction.

Kenyan minister orders halt to US Ebola facility

The facility, announced in May, was intended to house American citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a severe pandemic continues to claim lives. Public outrage has swelled, with protests erupting in Nairobi and Mombasa, some reports claiming a ↓ 15% drop in government approval ratings.

“We cannot ignore the court’s decision,” the minister said.

Legal analysts note that the contempt finding could expose officials to fines or imprisonment, a point underscored by Reuters. The United States has expressed disappointment, urging Kenya to honour its bilateral health agreement, while opposition leaders argue the project threatens sovereignty. As the standoff deepens, the fate of the $45 million construction contract hangs in the balance.