Nanyuki, Kenya: Tensions escalated in central Kenya after a man was reportedly shot in the head during a protest against a proposed Ebola quarantine facility intended for United States citizens. The incident occurred in the town of Nanyuki, approximately 120 miles north of the capital, Nairobi.
According to local reports, dozens of demonstrators gathered near the Laikipia Air Base, the proposed site for the quarantine center. Protesters expressed strong opposition to the project, citing fears that hosting individuals potentially exposed to Ebola could put Kenyan communities at risk.
Images from the scene appeared to show a person lying motionless on the ground after the shooting. Police moved in to disperse the crowds, using tear gas and arresting several demonstrators as tensions mounted.
Some protesters wore protective gear and carried a symbolic coffin marked with the word “Ebola,” highlighting public concerns over the government’s plans. The demonstration follows growing public anger in recent weeks, with two people reportedly killed during similar protests in the town last week.
The proposed facility, backed by the United States government, would accommodate up to 50 patients and be staffed by 30 American medical personnel. However, the project has sparked widespread debate and legal challenges.
Following a petition filed by the Kenyan non-profit organization Katiba Institute, a Nairobi court temporarily halted plans to establish the quarantine center and barred the admission of individuals exposed to Ebola into Kenya. Last week, the court further ordered the government not to proceed with the project until the legal case is resolved. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 23.
Despite the court’s intervention, Kenyan President William Ruto has indicated support for the initiative, stating that Kenya has a responsibility to assist the United States in recognition of years of American aid and cooperation.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, has been classified by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.
Health authorities report that the outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. As of June 6, the DRC had recorded 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, while Uganda reported 19 confirmed cases and three deaths, including one probable case.
Kenyan health officials have emphasized that no Ebola cases have been detected in the country. Nevertheless, public concern over the proposed quarantine facility continues to fuel opposition and political debate.
Authorities have launched investigations into the shooting incident as security remains heightened in Nanyuki and surrounding areas.
