Two people have been confirmed dead following violent protests in Nanyuki on Monday, June 1, as residents demonstrated against plans to establish a U.S.-funded Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
The deaths were confirmed on Tuesday, June 2, by protest organiser Patrick Wahome and a security source.
However, the circumstances surrounding the fatalities remain unclear, and the National Police Service (NPS) had not issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication.
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Earlier reports had indicated that at least two people were seriously injured during the demonstrations, raising concerns that the situation could worsen following the unrest.
The protests began at around 7:00 a.m., with hundreds of residents taking to the streets to oppose the proposed facility.
Demonstrators expressed concerns about potential health risks associated with the quarantine centre and questioned why such a facility would be established in Kenya rather than in the United States.
Carrying placards and tree branches, protesters marched through sections of Nanyuki town chanting slogans and demanding that plans for the facility be abandoned.
According to Wahome, the demonstrators were calling for the complete closure of the project by June 9.
Tensions escalated when protesters reportedly attempted to gain access to the proposed facility. Military officers stationed at the air base blocked their entry, resulting in a standoff that lasted for approximately two hours.
The situation was eventually defused after a senior official from the air base addressed the crowd and appealed for calm.
Videos circulating online showed roads engulfed in flames across parts of Nanyuki, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
Security officers were also seen firing during the confrontation, although it remains unclear whether live ammunition or other crowd-control measures were used.
Residents from the Likii area reported that police officers were later deployed to restore order. By around 7:00 p.m., security personnel had reportedly cleared the streets and escorted residents back to their homes.
The unrest comes amid growing public opposition to the proposed Ebola quarantine facility, even as legal proceedings over the project continue.
The High Court recently extended conservatory orders suspending the establishment of the facility in Kenya pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Katiba Institute challenging the project.
Despite the legal challenge and public resistance, President William Ruto has defended the initiative, arguing that the agreement would strengthen Kenya’s preparedness for future disease outbreaks while also serving mutual interests between Kenya and the United States.
Reports indicate that the U.S. has already deployed a specialised Ebola response team to Kenya to support the care, monitoring and quarantine of American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As investigations into the deaths continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to provide clarity on the circumstances that led to the fatalities and address concerns raised by residents over the proposed facility.