Amnesty International has welcomed the announcement by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that the government has halted the construction of the US-funded Ebola Quarantine facility in Laikipia.
In a statement, Amnesty said the move is a positive step taken in compliance with the court order issued pending the determination of the case.
Additionally, the respect for court orders is fundamental to the rule of law and constitutional governance.
“We welcome the Kenyan government’s commitment to abide by the court’s directive and urge all state agencies involved in the project to ensure full adherence to the order until the matter before the courts is conclusively determined,” Amnesty stated.
This comes after Duale stated that the government will comply with a court order temporarily stopping the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
“We are a government that respects the rule lof law, so we abide by the court decision. But in the event we need to invoke the Public Health Act, Sections 35 and 36, we will invoke the Public Health Act,” Duale said.
Despite welcoming the move, Amnesty condemned the alleged use of force by police during recent public protests in Nyanyuki, which have so far claimed three lives.
“We are, however, alarmed by reports that Kenyan police used unlawful, excessive force against residents protesting against the construction of the facility, resulting in the deaths of three protesters, including a 17-year-old student, and injuries to others”, the rights group added.
