Nanyuki Erupts as Protester Shot During Fierce Demonstrations Against US-Backed Ebola Facility
Tension gripped Nanyuki on Tuesday after a protester was reportedly shot during violent demonstrations against the planned construction of an Ebola quarantine centre intended to treat American citizens affected by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The dramatic confrontation unfolded as hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to oppose the controversial facility, which is being built at a military base near the town. Witnesses said protesters waving Kenyan flags, carrying placards and marching alongside a symbolic white coffin bearing the word “Ebola” demanded the immediate cancellation of the project, arguing that it posed a threat to local communities.
According to witnesses, chaos erupted when police moved in to disperse the crowd using tear gas, triggering running battles between officers and protesters. Amid the clashes, gunshots rang out, sending frightened residents scrambling for safety.
A protest leader claimed that one demonstrator was fatally shot by police during the operation. Authorities had not officially commented on the allegation by the time of publication.
Journalists covering the unrest reported witnessing the aftermath of the shooting. Two reporters saw the body of a man lying in the back of a police vehicle, although they did not directly witness the moment he was shot. Other witnesses described seeing a man who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the head lying motionless on the ground during the confrontations.
The latest bloodshed has intensified an already volatile dispute surrounding the proposed Ebola isolation facility, which has become one of the most contentious public health projects in recent Kenyan history.
The planned 50-bed quarantine centre is expected to be staffed by American medical personnel and is intended to provide treatment for US citizens affected by the Ebola outbreak currently ravaging parts of eastern DRC. Health officials have emphasized that Kenya has not recorded a single Ebola case despite its relative proximity to the outbreak zone.
However, many residents remain unconvinced, expressing fears that the facility could expose the country to unnecessary health risks.
Public anger has been fuelled by allegations of secrecy and insufficient public consultation regarding the project. Protesters have repeatedly accused both Kenyan and US authorities of failing to adequately explain the safety measures that would be implemented at the facility.
“My message is this, Laikipia is not a dumping site and our voices must be heard,” said protester Priscilla Imani, echoing sentiments shared by many demonstrators who fear the project could negatively affect tourism, business activity and public confidence in the region.
The demonstrations have already claimed lives. Last week, two people died after being shot during similar protests as police attempted to break up crowds opposing the quarantine centre.
The controversy has also spilled into the courts. Last month, the High Court ordered a halt to the opening of the facility after a rights group filed a case arguing that the project posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health.
Despite the court order, recent satellite imagery reportedly shows that construction activities at the military airbase have continued, further angering opponents who accuse authorities of disregarding legal directives.
The Kenyan government has defended the initiative. President William Ruto recently revealed that Kenya received a request from the United States to host the treatment facility, arguing that rejecting the proposal would have been “inhuman.”
The Head of State urged Kenyans not to politicise the Ebola issue and warned against spreading fear or misinformation about a disease that remains a serious global health concern.
Meanwhile, American officials maintain that Kenya was selected because of its strategic location and aviation infrastructure. According to US representatives, the country’s accessibility would allow infected American citizens to receive timely medical care while reducing logistical challenges associated with treatment in other regional locations.
As investigations into Tuesday’s shooting continue, Nanyuki remains on edge. The death of another protester is likely to deepen public mistrust and intensify scrutiny of a project that has already divided communities, triggered legal battles and sparked deadly street confrontations.
With emotions running high and construction reportedly ongoing despite court challenges, the dispute over the Ebola quarantine centre appears far from over, setting the stage for further political, legal and public health confrontations in the weeks ahead.
