Duale in court: Health CS expresses regret over actions that led to contempt ruling on Ebola facility
By Zipporah Ngwatu, June 23, 2026The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has regretted any actions he has taken over the establishment of an Ebola facility against court orders that were issued temporarily blocking him and the government from proceeding with the establishment.
Appearing before Justice Patricia Nyaundi on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for mitigation and sentencing after the court found him in contempt of the court orders that were issued, Duale has stated that he holds court orders in the highest regard.
In his mitigation, Duale has told the court that as a citizen, as a minister, and as a public servant, he will be the last person to disregard that order and the last person to violate any constitutional order, even by any court.
“I sincerely regret any action, omission, misunderstanding, or misinterpretation that may have resulted in non-compliance with the order of this court or created the perception thereof,” Duale submitted to the court.
“At all material time, it was never the intention of the Ministry or myself as the Cabinet Secretary to disregard, undermine or act in defiance of the orders of this honourable court,” Duale added.
The court heard that any decision Duale makes as the minister for health is based on science, technical advice and scientific interventions.
The vocal minister also told the court that the facility is located at a military air base, placing it at significant geographical distance from populated areas with very strict access protocols, including reducing any risk of community exposure.
He said that establishing the facility at the Laikipia Airbase is also meant to help in receiving and treating a Kenyan delegation of soldiers who are in Congo serving under the UN peacekeeping mission.
Duale informed the court that the said officers travel very often to Kenya for their rotation every 12 months; thus, the importance of having the facility at the Laikipia Air Base.
Finally, he noted that both his ministry and the government remain firmly committed to the constitutional principles of the rule of law, respect for court orders and the independence of the judiciary.