Kenya’s Police Kill TWO People During Protests Against US-funded Ebola Facility
Two people were killed during protests in Nanyuki on Monday, June 1, when townspeople opposed plans to build a US-funded Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
The deaths were verified on Tuesday, June 2, by protest organizer Patrick Wahome and a security source quoted by Reuters.
The facts behind the fatalities are still unknown, and the National Police Service (NPS) had not issued an official statement by the time of publication.
Earlier reports indicated that at least two people were critically hurt during the demonstrations, increasing concerns that the death toll will grow in the aftermath of the upheaval.
Anti-Ebola quarantine protests aftermath: Nanyuki Law courts vandalised, 2 people killed, 1 nursing gunshot wounds in hospital pic.twitter.com/bL2SHCaijZ— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 2, 2026
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.
Justice for charles mwangi he was shot unarmed by rigue police officers jana in nanyuki pic.twitter.com/gZKX1f1Lpf— wanjiru (@Wanjiru2027) June 2, 2026
A family in Baraka, on the outskirts of Nanyuki, is mourning the death of their son, who was allegedly shot by police during Monday’s protests against the proposed construction of an Ebola quarantine centre in the area.#KBCniYetu pic.twitter.com/vOjVZtSTQN— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) June 2, 2026
The protesters reportedly attempted to gain access to the site but were blocked by military officers.
This resulted 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.
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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.
This ruling pends 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.
He insists that it would bolster the country’s preparedness for potential outbreaks.
Meanwhile, 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).
Kenya’s Police Kill TWO People During Protests Against US-funded Ebola Facility
