Two Killed as Nanyuki Protests Over US-Funded Ebola Facility Turn Deadly Amid Growing Public Anger
Two people have reportedly died following violent protests in Nanyuki over plans to establish a U.S.-funded Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, escalating tensions surrounding the controversial project that has sparked widespread public opposition.
The fatalities were confirmed on Tuesday, June 2, by protest organiser Patrick Wahome and a security source cited by Reuters. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear, and the National Police Service (NPS) had not issued an official statement by the time of publication.
The deaths came after hundreds of residents took to the streets on Monday morning to protest the proposed facility, which they claim poses potential health risks and raises serious questions about Kenya’s role in handling foreign public health emergencies.
Demonstrations reportedly began at around 7am, with residents marching through various parts of Nanyuki carrying placards, waving tree branches and chanting slogans opposing the project.
“We want this facility shut down completely,” protest organiser Patrick Wahome told demonstrators, adding that residents were demanding the closure of the site by June 9.
Protesters accused authorities of failing to adequately consult local communities before advancing plans for the facility. Many questioned why such a centre was being established in Kenya rather than on U.S. soil, arguing that the public had not received sufficient information regarding its purpose and operations.
Tensions escalated when demonstrators reportedly attempted to gain access to the facility but were blocked by military personnel guarding the air base. The resulting standoff lasted for approximately two hours before a senior air base official addressed the crowd and appealed for calm.
Videos circulating online showed burning barricades on roads across parts of Nanyuki, with thick black smoke rising above the town. Other footage appeared to show security officers firing during efforts to disperse crowds, although authorities have yet to clarify the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Residents from the nearby Likii area said police officers were later deployed in large numbers to restore order. According to locals, officers spent much of the evening clearing roads and escorting residents back to their homes, with operations continuing until around 7pm.
The unrest comes as legal and political battles over the proposed Ebola facility continue to intensify.
The High Court recently extended conservatory orders temporarily halting the establishment of the facility pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Katiba Institute, which is challenging the legality and constitutionality of the project.
Despite the opposition, President William Ruto has publicly defended the agreement, describing it as a mutually beneficial partnership that would strengthen Kenya’s preparedness against future disease outbreaks.
Government officials have maintained that the facility is intended to support emergency response efforts and improve public health readiness. Reports indicate that the United States has deployed a specialised Ebola response team to Kenya to assist with the care, monitoring and quarantine of American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Ebola-related concerns have periodically emerged.
The deaths are likely to intensify scrutiny of the project and increase pressure on both Kenyan and U.S. authorities to provide greater transparency regarding the facility’s purpose, operations and potential impact on surrounding communities.
As investigations continue, questions remain over how the two individuals died, whether excessive force was used during the demonstrations, and what the next steps will be for a project that has become a flashpoint for public anger in central Kenya.
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