Police in Nanyuki on Tuesday engaged protesters in running battles as residents renewed opposition to a controversial U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility planned at Laikipia Air Base.
Security officers fired tear gas and arrested several demonstrators as crowds took to the streets to protest the proposed 50-bed facility, which is intended to quarantine American citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The unrest marks the second major round of demonstrations over the project in recent weeks. Earlier protests reportedly left two people dead and dozens injured, underscoring growing public anger over the plan.
According to U.S. officials, the facility would only accommodate individuals who have been exposed to the virus but are not showing symptoms.
Those who develop symptoms would be transferred to specialized treatment facilities. However, the assurances have done little to ease fears among residents and local leaders.
Many protesters questioned why the United States, which has advanced healthcare infrastructure, would seek to quarantine its citizens in Kenya rather than within its own borders.
Critics have also raised concerns about potential health risks and accused both governments of failing to adequately consult the public before advancing the project.
Tuesday’s demonstrations occurred despite ongoing court proceedings challenging the facility.
Protesters appeared organized, engaging security officers in a cat-and-mouse chase through parts of the town as police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
The High Court previously issued conservatory orders suspending the establishment and operationalization of the facility pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by legal and constitutional organizations.
The petition questions the legality of the arrangement and alleges a lack of transparency in the agreement between Kenya and the United States.
President William Ruto has defended the project, describing it as part of broader health preparedness efforts and insisting that Kenya is acting responsibly in supporting international disease prevention measures.
The United States has pledged approximately $13.5 million to strengthen Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response capacity.
Nevertheless, opposition continues to mount among residents, local leaders, civil society organizations and legal activists.
Many argue that Kenya should not assume the risks associated with managing foreign Ebola exposure cases, especially when the country has not recorded any Ebola infections.
The Laikipia County Government has also voiced its opposition to the project, adding to pressure on national authorities as the matter remains before the courts.
With public demonstrations continuing and legal challenges unresolved, the proposed facility remains at the center of a heated national debate over public health, transparency and national sovereignty.
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