Kenyan Defence Minister Aden Duale Held in Contempt for Ebola Centre Construction
Kenya's High Court has ruled Defence Minister Aden Duale in contempt for proceeding with the construction of a US-backed biosafety laboratory in Kisumu. Mr Duale disregarded a court order issued in October to cease work on the facility, which is designed for research into highly pathogenic diseases such as Ebola.
The biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory is being built in a residential area of Kisumu, a city with a population exceeding one million. Local residents and human rights organisations have raised significant concerns about the potential health risks and environmental impact of situating such a facility within a densely populated urban environment.
The court's decision on Tuesday stemmed from a petition filed by Kisumu resident Richard Dick Ochieng, who argued the construction posed an unacceptable risk to public safety. Despite the court's explicit directive to halt all activity, construction on the BSL-3 laboratory has evidently continued unimpeded.
The project, funded by the United States and intended for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), has faced persistent opposition since its inception. Critics point to the inherent dangers of handling deadly pathogens and the lack of comprehensive public consultation regarding the site selection and safety protocols. The contempt ruling places renewed scrutiny on the Kenyan government's decision-making processes and its accountability to judicial orders in projects involving foreign interests.
