Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a controversial United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
The announcement came as Duale appeared before a Kenyan court after being found in contempt for failing to comply with earlier orders suspending the project.
The facility has sparked protests and legal challenges in Kenya. Duale says all construction and site preparation work has been stopped.
Previously, President William Ruto reportedly defended the initiative, arguing that the facility was part of the country’s broader disease preparedness and response strategy.
“In his wisdom, Your Ladyship, I have directed the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparations, or related activities concerning the Laikipia Air Base facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive petition, or until further orders of the court,” says Duale.
VIDEO | Last week hundreds of Kenyans protested against the construction of the facility:
