LSK moves to court to challenge proposed hosting of American Ebola patients in Kenya
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 29, 2026The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has filed a constitutional petition at the Milimani High Court seeking to block the proposed establishment of an American government Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the LSK has said the petition was filed under case number Nairobi HCCHRPT/E334/2026 against the Ministry of Health, the State Law Office, and four other parties linked to the alleged arrangement.
“The Law Society of Kenya has filed a constitutional petition at the Milimani High Court challenging the proposed establishment of a United States Government Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya, following public concerns and remarks by LSK President Charles Kanjama. Filed on 28 May 2026, the petition targets the Ministry of Health, the State Law Office, and other state agencies involved in the proposed arrangement,” the LSK statement read in part.
The society stated that the legal action comes after rising public concern and comments from LSK President Charles Kanjama on reports that Kenya is discussing with the US government to host a facility for American nationals exposed to or infected with Ebola during regional outbreaks.
LSK questions Kenya’s capacity to hold outbreak facility
LSK said the process leading to the proposed arrangement lacked public participation, transparency and compliance with public health, environment and biosafety laws.
The lawyers’ body said Kenya does not have the high-containment infrastructure and technical capacity to safely handle Ebola cases, and the move could expose the public to serious health risks.
“LSK maintains that Kenya has no active Ebola cases and lacks the high-containment capacity necessary to safely manage such a facility, thereby exposing the public to serious health risks,” the statement read in part.
Through the petition, the society wants the court to suspend and ultimately nullify any agreements entered into without public participation.
LSK is further seeking orders to compel the government to fully disclose details of the alleged arrangement and conduct comprehensive biosafety and public health risk assessments before any such project can proceed.
The Law Society has noted that the matter is expected to be mentioned before the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court on May 29, 2026, for further directions.