The decision came Tuesday, one day after Health Minister Aden Duale was found in contempt of court over continued construction work despite a judicial order that had temporarily halted the project.

The facility had been intended to receive Americans exposed to Ebola while overseas, according to statements previously made by U.S. officials.

Court Intervention Forces Project Pause

Kenya’s High Court had ordered construction to stop in May while it reviewed a legal challenge brought by the Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute.

The two organizations argued that Kenya’s healthcare system was not adequately prepared to manage the risks associated with an Ebola quarantine center and questioned whether the project should proceed.

Despite the court order, construction work continued, leading to legal action against the health ministry.

On Monday, the court ruled that Duale had failed to comply with the earlier order and directed him to appear for a sentencing hearing.

Minister Apologizes to Court

During Tuesday’s hearing, Duale apologized to the court and said he never intended to ignore or undermine judicial authority.

“It was never my intention to disregard, undermine or act in defiance of the orders of the court,” he told the court.

The judge accepted the apology and declined to impose additional penalties.

Following the hearing, Duale formally ordered construction on the facility to be suspended.

Public Opposition and Protests

The project has sparked significant public concern in parts of Kenya, where residents have questioned the country’s ability to manage a potential Ebola-related emergency.

The controversy triggered several protests near the construction site.

According to the source material, three people died during demonstrations linked to opposition to the facility.

Details surrounding those deaths were not immediately provided.

Government Defends Ebola Facility

Despite ordering construction to stop, Duale continued to defend the project and rejected concerns that it could increase health risks for nearby communities.

“The fear that the Laikipia facility could serve as a vehicle for Ebola importation into surrounding communities is scientifically unfounded,” the minister said.

Government officials have maintained that the center was designed as a controlled quarantine facility and would strengthen preparedness efforts rather than create additional dangers.

US Support for Ebola Preparedness

The United States plans to provide $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness initiatives.

The quarantine center formed part of broader cooperation between Washington and Nairobi on public health readiness.

For now, however, the future of the facility remains uncertain as the court continues reviewing the legal challenge and authorities comply with the suspension order.

Tags: Kenya, Ebola, Aden Duale, United States, Public Health, Laikipia, High Court, Health Ministry, Africa, Healthcare System, Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute

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A Kenyan police officer serving in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was killed in a gang ambush, marking another tragic loss for the international force. The incident coincides with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic tour of the Caribbean, where Haiti’s escalating security crisis is a primary concern.

The slain officer, Bénédict Kabiru, was initially reported missing following an ambush on two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles on Tuesday in Pont-Sondé, a town in Haiti’s Artibonite region. The Kenya-led MSS confirmed his death, and Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council honored his sacrifice.

“This valiant police officer, engaged alongside Haitian forces to fight insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten,” the council said in a statement.

The ambush occurred while MSS and Haitian National Police officers were attempting to retrieve an armored vehicle that had become trapped in a ditch, possibly dug by gangs. During the operation, one of the MRAPs also got stuck while the other suffered mechanical issues. As officers worked to resolve the problem, armed gang members launched a sudden attack, leading to the officer’s death.

This marks the latest Kenyan casualty since the MSS arrived in Haiti in June. Just last month, another Kenyan officer was fatally wounded in an operation in the same region. The escalating violence has raised concerns about the effectiveness and sustainability of the security mission.

Following the attack, videos allegedly showing the slain officer’s body circulated online. However, the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.

As the security crisis deepens, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is prioritizing Haiti in his Caribbean tour. On Wednesday, he is set to meet with Fritz Jean, president of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council, in Jamaica. The discussions aim to bolster regional cooperation in addressing Haiti’s security and humanitarian challenges.

The U.S. remains a key financial backer of the MSS, which has struggled to contain Haiti’s rampant gang violence. The crisis is particularly dire in Port-au-Prince, where an estimated 80% of the capital is under gang control. As security forces attempt to reclaim urban areas, gangs have expanded their operations into rural regions, particularly Artibonite, a crucial agricultural hub.

The worsening violence has triggered mass displacement, with the United Nations reporting record levels of forced migration. According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, nearly 23,000 people were displaced within a single week in March.

Beyond displacement, the crisis has disrupted supply chains, exacerbating food insecurity. “Almost half of the entire population – that’s 5.5 million human beings – is going hungry, one of the highest proportions in any crisis around the world,” Dujarric noted.

In a particularly gruesome episode of violence, the UN reported that at least 70 people, including women and children, were massacred by the Gran Grif gang in the same Artibonite town where Officer Kabiru was killed.

As Haiti’s security crisis spirals, the international response faces mounting challenges. The death of another Kenyan officer underscores the risks MSS personnel face, while Rubio’s diplomatic engagements highlight the urgency of finding a sustainable solution. With gangs tightening their grip and the humanitarian situation deteriorating, the international community’s next moves will be crucial in determining Haiti’s future stability.

Source: CNN – Kenyan officer killed in Haiti after gang ambush, as Rubio visits Caribbean to discuss Haitian security crisis

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