Kenya: Kenyan police have used tear gas to disperse protesters in the central town of Nanyuki, where demonstrations continue against the construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at a military airbase, despite court orders halting further work.
The proposed 50-bed isolation unit is intended to house American citizens exposed to Ebola linked to outbreaks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The project has triggered public anger, with protesters accusing the United States of attempting to shift public health risks onto Kenya.
Demonstrations have escalated in recent days, with residents taking to the streets over what they describe as a lack of transparency and disregard for judicial rulings. A previous protest turned violent, resulting in at least two deaths and one injury, according to local accounts.
During the latest unrest, police deployed tear gas to disperse small groups of protesters, some of whom carried placards opposing the facility. One protester was seen holding a white cross marked with the words “Respect Ebola” in red.
The controversy comes amid heightened concern over a new Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has spread across parts of the DRC and Uganda. Health officials have warned that delayed detection and limited treatment options could increase the risk of wider transmission.
The United States has stated that the facility is intended for asymptomatic American personnel exposed to the virus, with patients developing symptoms to be transferred elsewhere for treatment. However, the project has faced legal challenges in Kenya, with courts reportedly issuing orders to halt continued construction.
Despite the ruling, reports indicate that US military aircraft have continued delivering personnel and equipment to the site. Satellite imagery has also shown an expansion of temporary structures and tents within the Laikipia airbase area, according to independent monitoring.
US officials have acknowledged the legal dispute and said they are working with Kenyan authorities to resolve objections. Kenyan officials have stated that the facility would also serve Kenyan and other foreign nationals, although US authorities have not publicly confirmed this arrangement.
The situation remains tense as protests continue and questions persist over the legality, safety, and oversight of the project.