Two Killed in Kenya Protests Over Planned US Ebola Isolation Centre Near Military Base
Deadly clashes erupt in Nanyuki as opposition grows over proposed US Ebola isolation centre in Kenya
- Two people killed during protests in Nanyuki over the planned Ebola facility.
- Police used tear gas as demonstrators blocked roads and burned tyres.
- Court has suspended the project amid public health concerns.
Two people have been shot dead in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki during protests over a proposed US Ebola isolation facility near a military base, according to reporting by the BBC.
The incident unfolded as tensions escalated around the planned centre at the nearby Laikipia Airbase. One man was reportedly shot close to the base while demonstrations were ongoing. He later died after being taken to a local hospital by friends. A second man was brought to hospital by soldiers already dead; medical staff noted both bodies had gunshot wounds, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Police authorities have not confirmed any fatalities. A police spokesperson told Reuters they were unaware of deaths linked to the unrest.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Nanyuki, blocking roads and burning tyres. Police responded with tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Community leader Patrick Wahome said one of the deceased had been returning home after closing his business when he was shot. The identity and cause of death of the second victim have not been independently verified.
The demonstrations are tied to opposition against a US plan to set up a 50-bed Ebola isolation centre at the military base. The facility is intended to treat US citizens affected by an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and would be staffed by US medical personnel.
Public concern in Kenya has centred on fears of cross-border infection risk, even though the country has not recorded any Ebola cases.
The plan has also faced legal and institutional pushback. Kenya’s High Court recently halted the facility’s opening after a rights group argued it posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health. The suspension was later extended, with the court ordering the government to disclose full details of the arrangement.
Speaking on the issue, William Ruto defended the agreement, saying Kenya had taken extensive precautions and describing it as a mutual arrangement requested by the United States.
He said the request came from then US President Donald Trump, and argued that Kenya was acting in line with a long-standing partnership between the two countries. He also urged the public and political actors not to politicise what he described as a serious public health matter.
Despite the court order, reports indicate continued military activity at the airbase, with aircraft movements suggesting ongoing preparations. Kenya’s doctors’ union and several oversight bodies have criticised the project, warning it could expose nearby communities to unnecessary risk.
