Two people killed in Nanyuki protests over U.S. Ebola facility
Two people killed in Nanyuki protests over U.S. Ebola facility
Two people were killed during 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 cited by Reuters.
The circumstances surrounding the fatalities remain unclear, and the National Police Service (NPS) had not issued an official statement by the time of publication.
Earlier reports had indicated that at least two people were seriously injured during the demonstrations, raising fears that the death toll could rise following the unrest.
Residents began the protests around 7am, decrying the health risks posed by the facility’s proximity and demanding transparency on the rationale for establishing it in Kenya rather than in the U.S.
Hundreds marched through parts of the town carrying placards and leaves, chanting slogans rejecting the proposed Ebola facility.
During the protests, Wahome said demonstrators were demanding the complete closure of the facility by June 9.
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The protesters reportedly attempted to gain access to the site but were blocked by military officers, resulting in a standoff that lasted for about two hours before a senior official from the air base addressed the crowd and appealed for calm.
Videos from the demonstrations showed fires burning on roads across parts of Nanyuki, with thick smoke billowing over the area. Security officers were also seen firing during the unrest.
Residents of the Likii area in Nanyuki said police were later deployed to restore order, with officers reportedly clearing the streets and escorting people to their homes at around 7pm.
The deaths come amid heightened tensions and public outcry, while the High Court has extended its conservatory orders halting the establishment of the proposed facility in Kenya, pending the hearing and determination of the Katiba Institute’s petition challenging the project.
Even so, President William Ruto has defended the plan, saying that the agreement is mutually beneficial and would bolster the country’s preparedness for potential outbreaks and the U.S. has reportedly deployed a specialised Ebola response team to Kenya to support the care, monitoring and quarantine of American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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