(NEW YORK) — Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has halted construction of the U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base after being found in contempt of court for allowing work to continue despite a court order.
Duale appeared before the High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday and said he directed “the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparations or related activities” concerning the facilitly.
“It was never the intention of the ministry or myself as the Cabinet Secretary to disregard, undermine, or act in defiance of the orders,” he said.
Duale also told the court he would be “the last person to disregard a court order” and “the last person to violate any constitutional order given by any court.”
The court accepted Duale’s apology and discharged him with a warning, saying that he would face sentencing if there was any indication he disobeyed its orders again. The injunction stopping construction was extended until a hearing on July 23.
“Today was an important moment for justice in Kenya,” Nora Mbagathi, executive director of Kenya’s Katiba Institute, an organization formed to support the country’s constitution that challenged the U.S. plan, told ABC News in a WhatsApp message.
“By appearing in court and confirming that construction of the quarantine facility has been halted, Duale has affirmed the government’s recognition that they are not above the Constitution,” the message continued. “His apology to the Court and the people of Kenya is an important moment not just for our courts but for our democracy and rule of law.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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