Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale was found in contempt of court on Monday for failing to comply with a judicial order to halt construction of an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. The High Court has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Duale on Tuesday.

The court had previously instructed the government to suspend work on the facility while it considered a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute, a constitutional watchdog. The petition expressed concerns that Kenya’s health system, which is already under strain, might be ill-equipped to safely manage Ebola patients brought in from abroad.

Despite the court’s directive, construction activities continued, and local residents reported sightings of U.S. military aircraft at the base after the suspension order was issued on May 29. Earlier this month, Minister Duale defended the project, stating that the quarantine center, which is intended primarily for Americans, would serve the interests of both Kenyan citizens and international partners.

President William Ruto has publicly supported the initiative, emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between Kenya and the United States in health and security sectors. He noted that the facility at Laikipia is one of 24 preparedness centers established across the country to bolster response capabilities against potential Ebola outbreaks.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between government efforts to strengthen epidemic preparedness and public concerns over resource allocation and sovereignty. The High Court’s forthcoming ruling on the contempt charge will determine the immediate future of the project and set a precedent for adherence to judicial orders in the sensitive domain of public health infrastructure.