Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is set to appear before the High Court on Monday for mitigation and sentencing after the court found him in contempt over the continued construction of the controversial Ebola quarantine and isolation facility at Laikipia Airbase.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi ruled that Duale failed to comply with conservatory orders issued on May 28 and confirmed on June 2, 2026, which required the suspension of construction activities related to the facility. The court found that despite acknowledging awareness of the orders, Duale adopted an interpretation that allowed construction to continue under what the government described as Kenya’s independent public health preparedness efforts.
In the ruling, the judge rejected the argument that only activities linked to a collaboration with the United States had been halted, holding that the court’s orders required all construction activities related to the facility to stop.
Justice Nyaundi stated that court orders cannot be avoided through alternative interpretations or by changing the description of restrained activities, emphasizing that parties are obligated to obey court directives as issued. The court further observed that public statements attributed to the Health CS supported the conclusion that construction was intended to proceed despite the subsisting orders.
While the court found no basis to hold the Attorney General liable for contempt, it concluded that Duale remained in continuing contempt by commissioning and allowing the ongoing construction works at the Laikipia facility.
As a result, the judge directed the Health CS to personally appear before the court on June 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. for mitigation and seJustice Patricia Nyaundi ruled that Health CS Aden Duale defied court orders suspending construction of the controversial Ebola quarantine and isolation facility at Laikipia Airbase and directed him to personally appear for mitigation and sentencing.ntencing, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment for the contempt finding.
