Two people have been killed during protests in central Kenya over plans by the United States to establish an Ebola isolation facility at a military base near the town of Nanyuki, according to reports from local residents and family members.
The deaths occurred amid demonstrations against the proposed treatment centre at Laikipia Airbase, approximately 140 kilometres north of the capital, Nairobi. Protesters took to the streets on Monday, blocking roads, burning tyres and clashing with security forces who responded with tear gas.
One of the victims has been identified as 27-year-old Charles Mang’aro Mwangi. His family said he was not participating in the protests and was shot while going to visit a friend after returning from work.
According to his mother, Joyce Wangari, her son was simply walking along the road when he was struck by gunfire.
“He was not part of the protests. He did not carry stones and was not throwing anything at the police. He was just on the road, minding his own business when he was shot,” she said.
Mwangi was taken to hospital by friends but later died from his injuries. His family said they have not received any official explanation from the authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
The second victim was reportedly brought to the hospital by soldiers and was already dead upon arrival. While authorities have yet to identify the man publicly, reports indicate that both victims sustained gunshot wounds.
The exact circumstances surrounding the two deaths remain unclear. Kenyan authorities have not officially commented on the fatalities, while a police spokesperson told Reuters he was unaware of any deaths linked to the demonstrations.
The unrest stems from a controversial proposal by the United States government to establish a 50-bed Ebola isolation and treatment centre at Laikipia Airbase. The facility would be staffed by American medical personnel and intended to treat US citizens affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A US official said Kenya was selected because of its strategic location and the limited medical evacuation capabilities available elsewhere in the region. The official added that Americans requiring treatment could be transported to the facility by air when necessary.
The proposal has generated significant public concern in Kenya, with critics warning that hosting Ebola patients could expose local communities to potential health risks despite assurances from authorities.
Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, opposition to the plan has grown among civil society groups, health professionals and government oversight bodies.
Last week, Kenya’s High Court temporarily halted the opening of the facility after a rights organisation filed a case arguing that the project posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health. On Tuesday, the court extended the suspension order and directed the government to disclose further details about the proposed centre.
Speaking publicly on the issue for the first time, President William Ruto defended the agreement, saying Kenya had taken every necessary precaution to protect its citizens.
According to the president, the arrangement followed a request from the United States government and reflected the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
“When President Donald Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase, I gave the approval because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30 to 40 years,” Ruto said.
He urged Kenyans not to politicise the Ebola issue and insisted that the government was acting responsibly.
Despite the court order suspending the project, military aircraft have reportedly continued operating at the airbase, leading some observers to suggest that preparations for the facility may still be ongoing.
The controversy has intensified debate over public health safety, national sovereignty and Kenya’s role in responding to international health emergencies, with the future of the proposed Ebola treatment centre now resting on the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
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