Two Killed as Anti-Ebola Facility Protests Turn Deadly in Nanyuki
Two people were shot dead during anti-Ebola facility protests in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, as demonstrations against the proposed US-backed Ebola quarantine centre escalated into violent confrontations between protesters and security officers.
The protests erupted as hundreds of residents took to the streets to oppose plans to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. Demonstrators expressed fears that the project could expose local communities to unnecessary health risks and accused both the Kenyan and US governments of failing to adequately consult the public before moving forward with the plan. According to protest organizers and security sources, the two victims lost their lives during clashes that broke out as crowds marched toward the military installation. Police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters after roads were blocked and burning barricades erected in parts of the town.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as protesters and security personnel confronted each other throughout the day. Reports indicate that several other people were injured during the unrest, while businesses closed and transport services were disrupted as tensions spread across the town. Some demonstrators accused authorities of using excessive force, while police had not immediately issued a detailed statement regarding the fatalities.
The demonstrations are linked to the highly controversial proposal to establish an Ebola quarantine and monitoring facility at Laikipia Air Base for individuals exposed to the virus in outbreak zones within Central Africa. The project has generated fierce opposition from sections of the public, health professionals, civil society organizations, and political leaders who argue that Kenya should not host Ebola-exposed foreign nationals despite having no confirmed Ebola cases.
The controversy deepened after President William Ruto publicly confirmed that he approved the facility following a request from US President Donald Trump. The government has defended the project as part of a broader partnership aimed at strengthening Kenya’s disease preparedness, surveillance systems, and emergency response capabilities. Health officials insist the facility would operate under strict international safety standards and would form part of a wider national preparedness framework.
Meanwhile, the High Court has extended orders temporarily suspending the establishment and operation of the facility pending further hearings. The court also directed the government to disclose agreements signed with the United States regarding the project, amid growing demands for transparency and public participation. The next hearing is expected later this month.
The deaths have added a tragic dimension to an already divisive national debate. Opposition leaders and activists have condemned the loss of life and called for independent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shootings. Human rights groups are also expected to push for accountability as questions mount over crowd control measures and the use of force during the demonstrations.
As Kenya continues grappling with the Ebola facility controversy, the deadly events in Nanyuki underscore the intensity of public opposition to the proposal and the political pressure facing the government. What began as a public health debate has now evolved into a broader national conversation about transparency, sovereignty, public safety, and the limits of government decision-making in matters affecting citizens’ health and security.
