By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, 10 June 2026 - One person was killed and nearly 50 protesters arrested on Tuesday as fresh demonstrations against a controversial Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base turned deadly, escalating tensions in Nanyuki and pushing the protest death toll to three.
The latest unrest paralysed business activities across Nanyuki town as protesters took to the streets to oppose the construction of the facility intended to quarantine US citizens.
Activists claimed the victim was shot by police during clashes, although authorities said a postmortem examination would determine the cause of death.
On Wednesday, calm returned to the town, with businesses and schools reopening after a day of running battles between protesters and anti-riot police.
The fatal shooting comes barely a week after two other people were killed during similar demonstrations opposing the project, which has sparked widespread resistance from local leaders and residents despite government assurances that it poses no danger to the public.
Activist Marlin Ndegwa accused police of using excessive force against demonstrators, saying security officials had earlier assured organisers they would be allowed to protest peacefully.
"A day before the protests, the security team had guaranteed us that we would get a chance to demonstrate peacefully and air our grievances," said Ndegwa.
"But at around 8am on Tuesday, anti-riot police officers were deployed across every part of Nanyuki town. They fired tear gas canisters at protesters and even at people inside their homes. We received reports that one person was shot in Likii Estate and died."
He questioned why residents opposing the facility were being met with force.
"Why are our people dying because of an American Ebola facility? People are simply saying they do not want this facility in their backyard. We are asking whose interests this government represents," he said.
According to Laikipia East Sub-County Police Commander Daniel Kitavi, 50 protesters were arrested during the demonstrations and were later arraigned at the Nanyuki Law Courts on Wednesday before being released on bail.
Kitavi said investigations into the death were ongoing and that a postmortem examination would establish the exact cause.
However, activists and residents maintained that the deceased, whose identity had not been established by Wednesday evening, was shot by police during the protests.
A spot check across Nanyuki revealed remnants of the violent demonstrations, including burnt tyres littering several streets, even as normal business resumed.
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The protests centre on the construction of an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base, a project that briefly stalled after a High Court order but has since continued, fuelling public outrage.
Despite growing opposition and the rising death toll, the government has insisted the project will proceed.
Appearing before the National Assembly recently, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defended the facility, saying it is part of a wider national preparedness programme.
"On Laikipia Air Base, it is one of the 23 quarantine isolation centres we are building, and we will not stop it," said Duale.
The government's hardline position is now setting the stage for an even bigger confrontation with residents, who have vowed to continue resisting the project despite the deadly consequences witnessed over the past week.
Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kimuri, who is a Molecular Scientist and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) professional, said while he appreciates the critical role that disease surveillance, laboratory systems, infection prevention, environmental health, and outbreak preparedness play in protecting communities, the only thing lacking is proper communication.
"Experience has shown that effective public health responses rely not only on scientific expertise, infrastructure, and established protocols, but equally on public trust, clear communication, and meaningful community engagement," Kimuri said.
On the recent protests, he said the people of Laikipia are naturally seeking assurance regarding the safeguards that would govern any such facility, the public health measures that would be in place, and the preparedness of local institutions to respond to any eventuality.
"These are reasonable expectations in any public health discussion," he said and added that as leaders, they have a shared responsibility to ensure that preparedness efforts are accompanied by public confidence and community trust.
He appealed to the government to prioritise dialogue, facts, collaboration, and informed engagement to navigate this important conversation.
"The people of Laikipia deserve access to information, confidence in public institutions, and assurance that their health, safety, and welfare remain at the centre of every decision that affects them," he said.
Kimuri insists that the measure of preparedness is not merely the facilities built, but the confidence leaders inspire in the people they serve.