Fatalities Reported in Kenya as Protests Erupt Over Proposed US Ebola Center

Two individuals have lost their lives in Nanyuki, a town in central Kenya, during demonstrations against the United States' proposal to construct an Ebola isolation facility at a nearby military installation, according to BBC reports.

The violence occurred in the vicinity of the Laikipia Airbase, where a protest was underway. One of the deceased was reportedly shot near the base and subsequently transported to the local hospital by companions, where he succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was found dead prior to being moved to the hospital by military personnel.

Details surrounding the incidents remain unclear, and government officials have yet to issue a statement. A police spokesperson informed Reuters that they were unaware of any fatalities. However, community leader Patrick Wahome told the BBC that one of the victims was shot while returning home after shutting down his business. The BBC has not been able to independently verify the specific circumstances of the second man's death.

Both bodies, currently held in the hospital morgue, exhibit signs of gunshot wounds, with one injury located in the chest and the other on the shoulder.

The unrest is fueled by public anxiety regarding the potential for cross-border infection from the proposed 50-bed facility. The center, designed to treat American citizens affected by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, would be staffed by US medical personnel. To date, Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases.

Legal and political tensions have escalated recently. Last Friday, the High Court issued an order halting the center's opening following a lawsuit by a rights group, which argued that the facility presented "grave and imminent risks" to public health. On Tuesday, the court extended this suspension, directing the government to provide full details regarding the proposed facility.

Despite the court order, military aircraft have been observed entering and exiting the airbase, a development experts interpret as ongoing preparation for the center.

President William Ruto addressed the controversy for the first time on Monday evening, defending the initiative. He asserted that Kenya had "deployed every arsenal" to safeguard the nation and described the arrangement as a "mutual agreement" with the US government.

"When President [Donald] Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase I gave the ok because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years," Ruto stated. He urged citizens and politicians alike to refrain from politicizing the issue, labeling such discussions as "reckless" given the seriousness of Ebola.

"We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing," he added.

The plan faces strong opposition from Kenya’s doctors' union and various government watchdogs, who warn that the facility could endanger local communities.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 09:55:21 UTC