Kenyan protests over US Ebola quarantine centre spark deaths
Hundreds of Kenyans gathered in Nanyuki, near Laikipai Air Base, to protest a United States‑backed Ebola quarantine facility intended for Americans exposed to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya has never recorded an Ebola case, and critics warned the centre could introduce the virus into the country.
On 9 June 2026 police used tear‑gas, water‑cannon fire and dispersal tactics as demonstrators threw stones and set fires. AFP journalists reported at least one protester was shot in the head and died, another was wounded by a tear‑gas canister, and dozens were arrested, including some by plain‑clothes officers. Earlier demonstrations on 1 June had resulted in two additional deaths, bringing the reported death toll to three.
President William Ruto vowed to proceed with the project, citing a debt of gratitude to Washington for years of aid, while the Kenyan High Court had issued a temporary suspension order. The United States has pledged US$13.5 million for Ebola preparedness. The controversy has also hurt Kenya’s tourism sector, with hotel operators reporting a 10 percent drop in corporate bookings.