Trump Breaks Silence After Kenyan Court Halts Ebola Facility Plan

The administration of US President Donald Trump has broken its silence after a Kenyan court temporarily stopped the establishment of a US-backed Ebola quarantine and isolation facility in Laikipia County.

In a statement issued on Saturday, May 30, hours after the court ruling, the Office of the US Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom said it was aware of the legal challenge and was engaging Kenyan authorities on the matter.

“We are aware of the court action filed in Kenya against the Ebola isolation facility. We are in touch with Kenyan authorities and are optimistic we can resolve objections,” part of the statement read.

Court Stops US-Backed Ebola Quarantine Facility 

The US statement came a day after the High Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders halting the establishment of the facility.

Justice Patricia Nyaundi of the Milimani High Court issued the orders on Friday, May 29, following an urgent petition filed by Katiba Institute against the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

Also Read: Gachagua Breaks Silence on Plan to Bring U.S. Ebola Patients to Kenya

The court barred the government from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving, or permitting any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility in Kenya linked to the United States or any other foreign government or agency.

The orders further prohibited the admission, transfer, receipt, or facilitation of entry into Kenya of any persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under such arrangements.

According to court documents, the orders were issued over concerns relating to public health, the right to life, lack of public participation, and broader constitutional questions.

The matter is scheduled for mention and directions on June 2, 2026. The conservatory orders will remain in force until then unless varied by the court.

Establishment of Facility Faces Opposition

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah accused the government of holding secret negotiations and excluding local healthcare professionals, warning that Kenya should not become a “dumping ground” for high-risk infectious diseases. The union also threatened nationwide industrial action if full details of the arrangement are not disclosed.

“If it is too dangerous for America, it is too dangerous for Kenya,” KMPDU stated.

LSK President Charles Kanjama similarly urged the government to reject any plan that would see Ebola patients from other countries flown into Kenya, arguing that such facilities should be located closer to outbreak zones to minimize public health risks.

What the Kenya-US Deal Entails

According to reports, the Trump administration reached an agreement with Kenya to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine and isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki.

Also Read: Blow to Ruto-US Deal as Court Halts Planned Ebola Quarantine Facility in Kenya

The facility was designed to accommodate Americans exposed to or infected with Ebola during the current outbreak in eastern DRC, allowing them to be isolated and monitored outside the United States.

The centre was expected to begin operations as early as May 30 and would be staffed by US public health personnel, including doctors and nurses. Patients requiring advanced treatment could later be transferred to Europe.

As part of the arrangement, the United States committed $13.5 million (about Ksh1.7 billion) towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts, including medical supplies and strengthening public health systems.

The funding is separate from a wider $112 million regional response package aimed at combating the outbreak across affected countries.

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Kenya’s President William Ruto poses for a photo with U.S President Donald Trump. PHOTO/PCS.