Kenyan minister orders halt to construction of US Ebola facility

Decision comes after Aden Duale was held in contempt for ignoring previous high court ruling to stop work Kenya’s health minister told a court he had ordered preparations for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility to stop, after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous order to end work. Many Kenyans strongly oppose the facility, with deadly protests erupting since the complex was announced in May for US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is grappling with a widespread Ebola outbreak. There have been more than 1,000 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC and more than 250 deaths as of 20 June. Neighbouring Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. The US facility was being constructed at Laikipia air base in Nanyuki, about 125 miles (200km) from the capital, Nairobi, with about 50 isolation beds. It was expected to be managed by US medical staff. Rights groups had petitioned the court, saying the facility was being developed secretly and without consultation. Last month, the high court ordered a stop to the centre’s construction until the groups’ case was heard. After the government continued to press ahead, the court said on Monday it was h