U.S. Ebola Facility Work Continues in Kenya Despite Court Orders

The U.S. government has continued building an Ebola quarantine facility at a Kenyan air force base in Nanyuki, even as Kenyan courts ordered the project suspended and local protests intensified. Around 20 flights carrying equipment and specialist personnel landed in Nanyuki between May 23 and May 31, 2026, according to flight data and officials. Kenyan courts have since issued multiple orders to halt work and require disclosure of the agreement underpinning the project.

The 50-bed unit is intended to host Americans who might be exposed to Ebola, officials said. The plan has faced public opposition in Kenya, including protests in Nanyuki that have resulted in at least two deaths. Kenya’s President William Ruto has defended approving the facility, saying the government knows what it is doing.

According to officials, U.S. military flights continued after a May 28 court order first directed work to be suspended, with at least three flights arriving after that decision. Officials said the aircraft delivered technical equipment and dozens of physicians, engineers, lab experts and construction workers, but no patients.

Courts order suspension and seek disclosure

A Kenyan court most recently ordered a further three-week suspension on June 2 and directed the government to disclose its agreement with Washington. Despite the ruling, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said construction activity was continuing and the facility could be ready within days.

A U.S. official said flights were paused briefly on June 1 because of confusion over what the court order required. The official said the pause was lifted on June 3 after Kenyan authorities told U.S. counterparts that preparations could proceed.

Diplomatic concerns and local backlash

A U.S. diplomatic cable said Ruto may have underestimated domestic opposition to the plan, which has triggered criticism that the United States is shifting the risk of caring for its own potentially exposed patients to Kenya. The U.S. embassy in Nairobi said it was aware of the court action and was working with the Kenyan government to resolve objections.

Officials said further supplies, including specialised equipment, testing kits and protective gear, were expected to arrive as preparations continue. The next focus will be whether Kenyan authorities enforce the suspension orders and whether the requested agreement is made public.