ALBAWABA- At least three protesters have been killed in escalating clashes between demonstrators and Kenyan security forces over the construction of a controversial U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base near the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki.
The unrest, which has intensified over the past week, has drawn national attention and deepened tensions between local communities, the Kenyan government, and U.S. authorities.
The first fatalities occurred on June 1, when hundreds of residents marched through Nanyuki and attempted to block key transport routes leading to the military installation. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, leaving two protesters dead from gunshot wounds and injuring several others.
Violence erupted again on Tuesday during renewed demonstrations. Witnesses and protest organizers said police used force to disperse protesters, resulting in the death of a third demonstrator who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the head. At least ten people were arrested.
Demonstrators carried Kenyan flags and white crosses bearing anti-facility slogans, accusing authorities of disregarding public concerns over the project. Local residents and business owners argue that linking the popular tourism hub to an Ebola-related facility could damage the regional economy and deter visitors.
The protests have unfolded amid an ongoing legal dispute over the project. Kenya's High Court has issued emergency orders temporarily halting the construction and operation of the facility while demanding public disclosure of agreements between Nairobi and Washington related to the project.
Critics accuse the government of failing to comply fully with the court's directives, while supporters argue the facility is necessary to strengthen regional public-health preparedness. President William Ruto has defended the project as part of a broader health-security partnership with the United States. Opponents, however, contend that Kenya is being unfairly asked to shoulder risks associated with managing potential Ebola exposures linked to U.S. personnel and operations in the region.
The proposed 50-bed facility is intended to isolate individuals exposed to Ebola, including cases linked to outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa. Construction has become a flashpoint in a wider debate over national sovereignty, public health policy, and foreign influence.
As protests continue, demonstrators have broadened their demands, with some calling for political accountability from the government. Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the air base and surrounding areas amid concerns that the unrest could spread beyond Nanyuki.
