By George Ndeto,
The High Court of Kenya has issued a major blow to the government by freezing the establishment and operationalization of a highly contested U.S.-linked Ebola quarantine and treatment center on Kenyan soil.

In a ruling delivered at the Milimani Law Courts following an urgent petition filed by civil society organizations, the court halted all ongoing works and preparations for the facility.

The conservatory orders specifically block the state from allowing any foreign agency to set up Ebola exposure or isolation structures, immediately pausing the deployment at the Laikipia Air Base outside Nanyuki.

Furthermore, the court explicitly barred the state from admitting or facilitating the entry of any individuals exposed to or infected with the Ebola virus under the framework.

Petitioners successfully argued that introducing such high-risk infectious disease units poses an imminent threat to public health and violates national sovereignty due to a total lack of public participation and transparency surrounding the bilateral agreement.

This judicial freeze remains in force ahead of the next scheduled court mention on June 2, 2026, forcing an immediate standstill to the arrival and logistical operations of American public health teams on the ground.