Kenya health minister found in contempt of court over US-backed Ebola centre
Kenya's High Court found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt of court for failing to halt construction of a US-backed Ebola treatment centre near Nairobi, in a ruling tied to the environmental impact assessment process.
Kenya's High Court on Monday found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt of court. The ruling concerns construction of a US-backed Ebola treatment centre about 30 km south of Nairobi, which continued in defiance of an interim stop order issued in May.
The case was brought by local communities arguing that the environmental impact assessment process had been inadequate. Judge Roselyne Korir said the « ministry's defiance of a clear court order runs counter to institutional accountability » and ordered a proper environmental assessment within 30 days. The ministry was also fined 5 million shillings (about $38,700).
Duale said in a statement he respects the ruling and that « the environmental assessment will proceed in parallel. » The US Centers for Disease Control said the $12 million project is a critical part of regional Ebola preparedness architecture for East Africa. Tracking protocols for cases linked to the Bulape outbreak zone will continue during construction.
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