Police in Kenya fired tear gas on Monday to disperse demonstrators protesting plans to establish a United States-funded Ebola treatment and quarantine centre in the town of Nanyuki, as public opposition to the project continues to grow.
Small groups of protesters gathered in the central Kenyan town carrying national flags, placards and a symbolic coffin labelled “Ebola,” demanding that authorities abandon plans to construct the facility.
The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests sparked by concerns over the proposed centre, which would reportedly be used to treat American citizens affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Witnesses said police moved in to disperse the crowd after protesters marched through parts of the town, with tear gas used to break up the gathering.
The latest unrest comes just days after two people were reportedly killed during similar demonstrations linked to the controversial project.
Many residents fear the facility could expose Kenya to potential health risks despite assurances from both Kenyan and American authorities that strict safety protocols would be implemented.
Protesters have also accused the government of failing to adequately consult local communities before approving the project.
“My message is this: Laikipia is not a dumping site and our voices must be heard,” protester Priscilla Imani told Reuters.
The planned 50-bed isolation centre is expected to be staffed by American medical personnel and would serve as a treatment facility for US citizens infected during the current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
According to US officials, Kenya was selected because of its strategic location and relatively strong transport infrastructure.
A US official told the BBC that the facility would help ensure Americans affected by the outbreak receive timely medical care, particularly given the limited treatment capacity at some airports and neighbouring locations.
The proposal, however, has faced legal challenges.
Last month, Kenya’s High Court ordered a temporary halt to construction after a human rights organisation filed a case arguing that the project posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health.
Despite the court ruling, satellite images reviewed by the BBC reportedly suggest that construction activities have continued at the designated site.
The Ebola outbreak at the centre of the controversy continues to affect parts of DR Congo, which has recorded hundreds of confirmed cases and dozens of deaths since the outbreak began.
Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, fears about the possibility of cross-border transmission have fuelled opposition to the project.
President William Ruto has defended the government’s decision, saying Kenya received a formal request from the United States and that refusing humanitarian assistance during a public health emergency would be irresponsible.
The Kenyan leader has urged citizens not to politicise the issue and called on political figures to avoid spreading fear and misinformation.
As tensions continue to rise, the dispute has become a national debate over public health, government transparency and Kenya’s role in responding to international humanitarian crises.
With legal proceedings still ongoing and public opposition showing no signs of fading, the future of the proposed treatment centre remains uncertain.