The United States (US) government on Saturday, May 30 acknowledged that it was aware of a Kenyan court order that temporarily halted plans to set up an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya.
In a statement, the U.S. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom said Washington was engaging with Kenyan authorities and expressed optimism that the matter will be resolved successfully.
“We are aware of the court action filed in Kenya against the Ebola isolation facility. We are in touch with Kenyan authorities and are optimistic we can resolve objections,” the statement read.
This comes after Katiba Institute successfully objected the move to setup the facilities in Kenya to accommodate American citizens exposed to the virus, instead of transferring them to the US for treatment and monitoring.
After obtaining the order, Katiba Institute issued a formal notice to the U.S. State Department and the Department of Health of binding interim conservatory orders issued by the High Court of Kenya on 28 May 2026, which immediately halt the proposed establishment of any U.S.-backed Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility within Kenyan borders.
The High Court in Nairobi issued conservatory orders restraining the Kenyan government from establishing or facilitating any Ebola quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility linked to an arrangement with the United States government pending further hearing and determination.
The orders were issued by Lady Justice Patricia Nyaundi after Katiba Institute filed an urgent petition challenging what it described as a secretive plan to turn Kenya into an “offshore quarantine site” for American citizens exposed to Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.
