The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly opposed reports of a proposed Ebola quarantine, monitoring, or treatment facility in Kenya for foreign nationals exposed to or infected with the Ebola virus outside the country.
In a statement issued Friday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the proposal raises serious constitutional, public health, environmental, biosafety, and sovereignty concerns.
Kanjama stated that Kenya should not become “a holding ground for dangerous infectious diseases outsourced by foreign states seeking to shield their own territories from risk.”
“What another country is unwilling to host within its own borders cannot be transferred onto the people of Kenya without public participation, transparency, parliamentary oversight, biosafety safeguards and full constitutional accountability,” he said.
The lawyers’ body expressed concern that discussions surrounding the proposed facility were allegedly being conducted in secrecy, without public participation, disclosure of agreements, or a demonstrated biosafety assessment.
According to the Society, the proposal threatens rights protected under Articles 26, 28, 42, and 43 of the Constitution, including the rights to life, dignity, health, and a clean and healthy environment.
Consequently, the LSK announced that it has moved to the High Court under Nairobi Constitutional Petition No. E334 of 2026, seeking urgent constitutional intervention to stop any arrangements relating to the establishment of an Ebola-related quarantine or treatment facility for foreign nationals within Kenya.
The petition, filed as Law Society of Kenya v. Ministry of Health & Others, seeks conservatory orders against the reported plans pending judicial determination.
“The Law Society of Kenya will continue to defend constitutionalism, public accountability and the safety, dignity and well-being of the people of Kenya,” Kanjama said.
The development comes amid heightened regional concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of East Africa, with governments intensifying surveillance and public health preparedness measures.