Katiba Institute- KI Official

Court Update:

The High Court has granted conservatory orders restraining the Government from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving, or permitting any Ebola quarantine, isolation, exposure, or treatment facility in Kenya pursuant to the challenged arrangement with the United States or any other foreign government pending the hearing and determination of the petition.

The Court has further prohibited the admission into, transfer to, receipt within, or facilitation of entry into Kenya of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the challenged arrangement.

The Court has also compelled the Respondents to disclose all agreements, negotiations, approvals, risk assessments, and operational protocols relating to the proposed facility and arrangement within 7 days.

These orders maintain the current state of affairs, prevent irreversible actions from being taken before constitutional scrutiny, and ensure transparency and public accountability in a matter raising significant concerns about public health, sovereignty, and constitutional governance.

Note:
"A conservatory order is a temporary measure issued by a court to maintain the current state of affairs until a case is fully heard and determined."

Joshua Malidzo Nyawa

“Every person has an obligation to respect, uphold, and defend this Constitution.”

— Article 3(1)

Happy !

We have formally notified 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.

Revealed: Where US Ebola quarantine centre will be located https://nation.africa/kenya/news/kenya-approves-us-ebola-quarantine-facility-laikipia-air-base-5477044

Nation

Revealed: Where US Ebola quarantine centre will be located Kenya has approved a request from the US to open a quarantine facility in Kenya.

Petition filed to stop proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya Katiba Institute has filed an urgent petition at the Milimani High Court seeking to block the government from establishing or permitting any Ebola quarantine, isolation or treatment facility linked to the United States of America or any foreign government on Kenyan soil.

High Court bars government from establishing an Ebola quarantine facility or allowing infected American citizens into the country for treatment, in case filed by Katiba Institute.

"Quality healthcare is not a luxury reserved for a select few, it is an undeniable right for all citizens," Health PS Mary Muthoni https://nation.africa/kenya/news/nmg-health-summit-s-bold-vision-warnings-5477344

Nation

NMG Health Summit’s bold vision, warnings We can't sustain economic growth without access to affordable healthcare, NMG boss Odundo said.

Orders granted!

The Court certified the application as urgent and granted interim conservatory orders restraining the Respondents from establishing, operationalising, approving, or facilitating any Ebola exposure, quarantine, isolation, or treatment facility in Kenya under any arrangement with the United States or any other foreign government or agency, pending the hearing of the application.

The Court further barred the Respondents from admitting into, transferring to, receiving within, or facilitating the entry into Kenya of any persons exposed to or infected with Ebola pursuant to the impugned arrangement.

The matter is scheduled for mention on 2nd June 2026 for further directions.

Joshua Malidzo Nyawa

Katiba Institute Files a Petition Challenging the Proposed Establishment of Ebola Quarantine and Treatment Facilities in Kenya:

Katiba Institute is challenging the proposed establishment of a quarantine facility for American citizens exposed to Ebola and other highly infectious diseases in Kenya. The petition, through Counsel
Joshua Malidzo Nyawa, has been filed under a certificate of urgency. It is brought against the Attorney-General, (1st Respondent) and the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health (2nd Respondent).

To ensure transparency, accountability, and court oversight before a final determination is made, KI is asking the Court to urgently:

Halt Facility Operations: Restrain the Respondents from establishing, operationalising, or approving any Ebola quarantine or treatment facility in Kenya under any arrangement with the United States or other foreign governments, pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Prevent Entry of Exposed Persons: Bar the Respondents and their agents from receiving, transferring, or facilitating the entry into Kenya of any individuals exposed or infected with Ebola under the impugned arrangement.

Compel Contingency Planning: Require the Cabinet Secretary for Health to prepare and present to the Court, within 24 hours, a comprehensive contingency plan detailing Kenya’s preparedness measures for the prevention, surveillance, control, and response to any potential Ebola outbreak.

Mandate Full Disclosure: Compel the Respondents to disclose to KI and the public the full terms for any arrangements or negotiations regarding the proposed facility. This includes all related public health, environmental, biosafety, or security assessments; regulatory and parliamentary approvals; and the specific protocols for the admission and treatment of exposed persons.

The case affirms that even in matters of diplomacy and public health, the Constitution remains supreme and binding on all State organs. The secretive, unilateral establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility raises grave constitutional concerns regarding the rights to life, health, fair administrative action, public participation, and parliamentary oversight.

“KI is asking the Court to determine whether the Executive can expose the public to such significant risks without complying with constitutional safeguards. At its core, the case is about preserving constitutional accountability, protecting public health, and ensuring that no government may place expediency above the lives and safety of the people of Kenya.” - Nora Mbagathi, Executive Director, Katiba Institute.

Get more details about the Petition via https://katibainstitute.org/katiba-institute-files-a-petition-challenging-the-proposed-establishment-of-ebola-quarantine-and-treatment-facilities-in-kenya/

Tisa Kenya, Mzalendo, TI-Kenya, Amnesty International Kenya, KELIN, Siasa Place, Ni Sisi

Congratulations George Morara on your appointment. We wish you great success in this new role and look forward to deepening our collaboration with Amnesty International Kenya.

As Amnesty International marks 65 years of defending human rights globally, Amnesty International Kenya is pleased to announce the appointment of George Morara as our new Executive Director, effective 2 June 2026.

With more than three decades of leadership in human rights, governance, constitutionalism, and public accountability, George Morara brings deep experience, integrity, and a strong commitment to justice and civic freedoms.

We look forward to this new chapter for our movement in Kenya and beyond. Join us in welcoming him to Amnesty International Kenya. https://www.amnestykenya.org/amnesty-international-kenya-announces-the-appointment-of-george-morara-as-executive-director/