Two people have reportedly been shot dead in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki during protests against plans by the United States to establish an Ebola isolation centre at a nearby military base.
According to reports, one of the victims was shot near the Laikipia Airbase, where demonstrators had gathered to protest the proposed facility. He later died after being transported to the hospital by friends. The second victim was reportedly brought to the same hospital by soldiers and was pronounced dead on arrival.
Authorities have not officially confirmed the deaths, and details surrounding the shootings remain unclear. The demonstrations were triggered by growing public concern over plans to establish a 50-bed Ebola treatment facility at the military base.
The center is expected to be staffed by American medical personnel and used to treat United States citizens affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On Monday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Nanyuki, blocking roads and burning tyres while police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The proposal has sparked widespread debate in Kenya despite the country not recording any Ebola cases. Last Friday, Kenya’s High Court ordered a halt to the opening of the facility after a rights group filed a case arguing that the project posed significant public health risks.
Speaking publicly on the issue for the first time, President William Ruto defended the arrangement, saying Kenya had deployed all necessary measures to protect the country from the virus. The president explained that the United States government had requested Kenya’s support in dealing with the outbreak and that the agreement was reached between long-standing partners.
“When President Donald Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase, I gave the okay because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30 to 40 years,” he said.
President Ruto urged Kenyans not to politicise the matter, describing Ebola as a serious public health issue that requires responsible leadership and communication.
He insisted that the government of Kenya understands the risks involved and has taken the necessary precautions to safeguard the country.
The future of the proposed Ebola treatment facility now rests on the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings, as concerns over public health and national security continue to dominate discussions across Kenya.
