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Protester shot dead during Nanyuki demonstration
A protester was fatally shot in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Tuesday during demonstrations against the construction of a US-operated Ebola quarantine facility, witnesses told journalists.
Protest leaders reported the death to Reuters, stating police opened fire on the crowd. Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations.
Protesters demand facility relocation
Demonstrators marched through Nanyuki, approximately 200 km north of Nairobi, waving Kenyan flags and carrying placards. Some held a coffin marked with the word "Ebola" to symbolize their opposition to the planned 50-bed isolation centre at a nearby military base.
Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, escalating tensions. AFP journalists reported hearing gunshots and observing a man with a head wound lying motionless at the scene.
Previous clashes and public concerns
Violence erupted last week during similar protests, resulting in two fatalities after police intervened. The proposed facility, intended for US citizens affected by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has sparked widespread unease in Kenya.
Residents fear potential cross-border infection risks and criticize the government's lack of transparency regarding the centre's safety protocols. A rights group successfully petitioned the High Court last month to halt construction, citing "grave and imminent risks" to public health.
US defends facility amid legal challenges
The isolation centre, staffed by US medical personnel, aims to treat Americans exposed to Ebola in the DRC. A US official told the BBC that Kenya was selected due to its proximity to the outbreak and limited medical infrastructure in regional airports.
President William Ruto defended the project, calling it a humanitarian response to a US request. He urged Kenyans to avoid politicizing the issue, emphasizing the severity of the Ebola threat. Despite the court order, satellite imagery obtained by the BBC shows ongoing construction at the airbase.
Regional outbreak and local impact
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has recorded approximately 600 confirmed cases and 100 deaths, with Bunia as the epicentre. Uganda separates the DRC from Kenya, where no cases have been reported.
Protester Priscilla Imani told Reuters that the facility has deterred visitors to Nanyuki and Laikipia County. "Laikipia is not a dumping site," she said. "Our voices must be heard."
US remains optimistic despite opposition
A US official acknowledged the court case but expressed confidence in resolving objections. The administration continues to engage with Kenyan authorities to address public concerns.
