Police Arrest Five Activists Over Ruto Coffin Protest Amid Ebola Row
Five activists were arrested in Nairobi after staging a dramatic protest against the controversial US-backed Ebola quarantine facility, using a symbolic coffin bearing references to Ebola and President William Ruto as part of their demonstration. The arrests come as public opposition to the proposed facility continues to intensify across the country.
The activists were part of a small group of demonstrators who marched through Nairobi’s central business district wearing white protective suits and carrying a coffin emblazoned with the word “Ebola.” The symbolic procession was intended to express opposition to the government’s decision to approve plans for an Ebola quarantine and isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base. Authorities later moved in and arrested five of the protesters, accusing them of unlawful conduct during the demonstration.
The protest took place amid growing national controversy surrounding the proposed facility, which President William Ruto recently confirmed he approved following a request from US President Donald Trump. The project is intended to host and monitor individuals exposed to Ebola in outbreak zones within Central Africa while strengthening regional disease preparedness. However, critics argue that Kenya should not be accepting Ebola-exposed foreign nationals when the country currently has no confirmed Ebola cases.
The arrests came only a day after deadly demonstrations in Nanyuki, where anti-Ebola facility protests turned violent and left two people dead. Protesters in Laikipia County had attempted to march toward the proposed site at Laikipia Air Base before clashes erupted with security officers. The deaths have further heightened tensions and transformed what began as a public health debate into a major political issue.
Opponents of the facility continue to question the transparency of the agreement between Kenya and the United States, while civil society groups and legal organizations have challenged the project in court. The High Court has already issued orders temporarily suspending the facility and directed the government to disclose details of the agreements related to the project pending further hearings.
The symbolic coffin protest has also reignited debate over the role of satire and political expression in Kenya. Activists argue that peaceful demonstrations and symbolic actions are legitimate forms of political communication, while authorities maintain that public protests must remain within the law. The use of a coffin as a political symbol has become increasingly common in Kenyan activism, often used to express dissatisfaction with government policies and leadership decisions.
As legal challenges continue and public opposition grows, the Ebola facility controversy remains one of the most divisive issues currently facing the government. The arrest of the five activists is likely to fuel further debate about freedom of expression, public participation, and the government’s handling of one of the country’s most controversial public health proposals.
