Autopsy Confirms Nanyuki Protester Was Killed by Gunshot During Ebola Facility Demonstrations
A postmortem examination has confirmed that a 27-year-old man who died during violent protests in Nanyuki succumbed to a gunshot wound, intensifying calls for accountability over the deadly clashes linked to a controversial Ebola quarantine facility proposal.
The independent autopsy, whose findings were reviewed by local media, revealed that the fatal bullet entered through the front and side of the victim’s left shoulder before exiting through the upper right shoulder region.
The examination was sponsored by human rights organisation VOCAL Africa, which has now demanded an immediate and transparent criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.
In a statement following the release of the report, VOCAL Africa said the findings provided clear evidence that lethal force was used during the demonstrations.
“The medical evaluation revealed the bullet entered the anterolateral aspect of his left shoulder and exited through the right upper shoulder area, establishing clear evidence of lethal force,” the organisation stated.
The rights group further called on investigative agencies to move swiftly and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted.
The death occurred amid widespread protests that erupted in Nanyuki after reports emerged that the Kenyan Government, working alongside authorities from the United States, was considering establishing a quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base for individuals potentially exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The proposal sparked immediate resistance from residents, many of whom argued that they had not been adequately consulted before the plans were announced. Demonstrators expressed fears that hosting such a facility could expose the region to potential health risks, despite assurances from authorities that strict containment measures would be implemented.
Hundreds of residents took to the streets in protest, blocking major roads and disrupting transport services as tensions escalated across the town.
The controversy quickly attracted political attention, with Nyandarua Senator John Methu emerging as one of the most vocal critics of the proposed facility. The senator questioned the rationale behind relocating potentially exposed individuals to Kenya, citing statements from some U.S. lawmakers who argued that American citizens should receive treatment within their own country.
As demonstrations intensified, protesters engaged in running battles with anti-riot police officers deployed to restore order. The clashes turned deadly, leaving two people dead and at least two others nursing gunshot wounds.
Police subsequently arrested 31 protesters, who were later arraigned before the Nanyuki Law Courts and charged with obstructing motor vehicles during the unrest.
The growing public outcry has since drawn the attention of the High Court, which temporarily suspended implementation of the proposed quarantine facility pending a judicial review of the project.
The court’s intervention has done little to ease concerns among residents, with questions continuing to mount over both the planned facility and the circumstances that led to the deaths during the demonstrations.
Despite the suspension order and mounting opposition from sections of the public and political leaders, supporters of the project have defended the proposal as a precautionary public health measure aimed at strengthening preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak.
Meanwhile, VOCAL Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the deceased’s family, insisting that the postmortem findings must serve as the basis for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation.
“The family deserves answers, and the public deserves accountability,” the organisation said, urging authorities to ensure justice is delivered without delay.
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