Two people were shot dead during protests in Nanyuki, Kenya, over the US plan to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Airbase, authorities and local residents said yesterday [1, 2, 3, 4]. Hundreds of protesters gathered on June 1, clashing with police who reportedly fired tear gas; Patrick Wahome, a protest organiser, said one victim was shot while heading home after closing his business [1].
The facility aims to isolate US citizens exposed to Ebola in outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda without repatriating them to the United States [5, 3, 6, 7]. Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases to date [1, 2, 3, 6, 7]. Despite this, the plan has sparked widespread anger in Kenya, with residents like Charles Mathenge arguing, "Everybody should be quarantined in their home country," fearing potential health risks and neo-colonial implications [3]. Another local, David Mulinge, said, "What’s shocking is that the Americans don’t want their infected fellow citizens to step into their own country but to come to Kenya. That’s like treating us as lesser beings" [3].
Kenya’s High Court initially ordered a temporary halt to construction and operations of the centre on May 28, demanding full disclosure of agreements with the US government. On June 2, it extended the block by three weeks [1, 2, 4]. Despite the court ruling and protests, US military flights continued to bring equipment and personnel to Laikipia Airbase on June 3 [8].
President William Ruto defended the agreement, stating, "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. We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing" [1]. Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale emphasized that the centre would not serve only Americans, saying, "Quarantine is not only for Americans. Even Kenyans will be isolated at the facility. Laikipia airbase is one of the 23 quarantine isolation centres we are building. And we will not stop it" [9].
The Ebola outbreak in the region is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, with over 300 confirmed cases and nearly 50 deaths reported in DRC and Uganda [2, 3, 6]. The US government has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts [6, 7].
The Kenyan court’s suspension and required agreement disclosures remain in effect. The next hearing is expected before construction or operations can proceed further on the quarantine facility.
