Duale Summoned Over Contempt of Court in Laikipia Ebola Facility Case

The High Court has found Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale in contempt of court over the ongoing construction of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. Duale Summoned Over

In a ruling delivered on June 22, Justice Patricia Nyaundi said the government violated existing conservatory orders by allowing construction work to continue despite a court directive halting the project.

The court has summoned Duale to appear before it on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. to explain why the orders were not followed.

This follows a case filed by Katiba Institute against the State Law Office.

The petition seeks to hold both the Attorney General and the Health Cabinet Secretary responsible for allegedly disobeying court orders and failing to disclose key documents related to the facility.

According to the court update released by Katiba Institute, the judge found that Duale had disclosed all existing documents related to the project that could legally be released.

However, the disclosed records reportedly did not contain environmental and social impact assessments or safety contingency plans for the proposed quarantine facility.

Katiba Institute argued that the absence of these documents raises serious concerns about how the project was planned and implemented.

Also Read: Katiba Institute Files Petition Accusing Govt of Defying Court Orders on Ebola Facility

Concerns Over Missing Impact Assessments: Duale Under Scrutiny

The institute said the court’s findings suggest that construction began before the government completed important environmental and safety evaluations.

Katiba Institute described the situation as alarming, arguing that authorities moved ahead with a high-risk biological quarantine facility without conducting the necessary impact assessments or emergency preparedness planning.

The organization said it filed the contempt application to protect the authority of the judiciary and defend Kenyans’ constitutional right to public participation.

Also Read: Kenya Set to Receive Ksh 74 Billion EU Support as G7 Moves to Curb Ebola Spread

Katiba Institute Welcomes the Ruling

Katiba Institute Executive Director Nora Mbagathi welcomed the court’s decision and criticized the government’s actions.

“We are witnessing a profound disrespect for Kenya’s sovereignty and our constitutional rule of law,” she said.

She added, “The fact that construction continued in direct violation of a High Court order shows that the government believed it could operate entirely above the Kenyan judicial system. Today’s ruling sends a clear message: public health initiatives must bow to constitutional accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.”

Following the ruling, Katiba Institute demanded the immediate suspension of all activities at the Laikipia Air Base site.

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Katiba Institute Statement on Health CS Duale
PHOTO/Katiba Institute