The United States has responded after Kenya’s High Court temporarily halted the establishment of a proposed Ebola quarantine facility. In a statement issued on May 29, 2026, following the court action, the U.S. Foreign Service said that Washington was aware of the legal challenge and the ongoing proceedings.
It further revealed that the United States is engaging Kenyan authorities and remains optimistic that concerns surrounding the proposed Ebola quarantine facility can be resolved.
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 response came after the High Court issued interim conservatory orders stopping the establishment and operation of any Ebola-related quarantine, isolation, exposure monitoring or treatment facility in Kenya linked to an arrangement involving the United States or any other foreign government.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi granted the orders after a petition filed by rights activists argued that the proposed facility raised constitutional, public health and sovereignty concerns.
According to the court order, the application was certified as urgent after the petitioner argued that failure to intervene immediately posed an imminent threat to life.
A second conservatory order barred the respondents from admitting into Kenya, transferring to Kenya, receiving within Kenya or facilitating the entry of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the disputed arrangement pending further court proceedings.The matter has been scheduled for mention on June 2 for further directions.
The legal challenge was filed amid reports that the United States had reached an agreement to isolate and monitor American citizens potentially exposed to Ebola in Kenya rather than transporting them directly to the United States for observation and treatment.
In its petition, the Katiba Institute said the arrangement was being established in secret and raised serious constitutional concerns.
The institute argued that bringing Ebola-exposed individuals into Kenya could expose a country with no confirmed Ebola cases to unnecessary public health risks.
On May 28, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation with President William Ruto to discuss ongoing Ebola response efforts and coordination between the two countries.
According to a State Department readout released after the call, the two leaders discussed securing vital medical supplies and strengthening Kenya’s preparedness capacity.
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The Secretary and President Ruto discussed coordinated efforts to secure vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensure the strength and preparedness of Kenya’s health system
The United States announced plans to commit an additional $13.5 million (approximately KSh1.74 billion) toward Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.
Washington also disclosed that it had already committed $112 million (approximately KSh14.48 billion) in bilateral assistance to support the wider regional Ebola response.
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