Protester Killed, Dozens Arrested As Unrest Grows Over US Ebola Facility In Kenya

NAIROBI (Kenya), June 10 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- One person was shot dead, and more than 50 protesters were arrested Tuesday during fresh demonstrations in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki against the construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, said police and witnesses, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. 

The latest fatality brings the death toll from protests linked to the Ebola facility to three after two people were killed during earlier demonstrations last week.

Businesses shut down across parts of the town as anti-riot police clashed with demonstrators attempting to march toward the facility.

Police arrested more than 50 protesters during the operation as security forces sought to disperse crowds gathered near roads leading to the air base.

Thick clouds of tear gas drifted across sections of Nanyuki, engulfing a nearby mosque and surrounding streets as protesters scattered through commercial areas.

Vocal Africa, a non-profit organisation in Nairobi, criticised the police response to the demonstrations, alleging that officers opened fire on protesters and left one demonstrator dead.

The group posted images from the scene on social media, including a blurred photograph of the victim.

The victim was shot in the back of the head, according to witnesses and images circulated on social media.

Speaking to reporters, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua said local leaders were not informed about the facility before construction began, raising concerns about transparency and public consultation.

He said county officials, including elected representatives and the county government, only learned of the project after work was already underway.

Residents and local leaders vowed to continue opposing the facility, arguing that it poses risks to public safety, tourism and local livelihoods.

Demonstrators also accused the government of ignoring community concerns and a court order suspending the project.

The Ebola facility is located at Laikipia Air Base, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Nanyuki, which lies roughly 200 kilometres (124 miles) north of Nairobi.

The latest unrest comes despite a High Court order suspending the facility and directing the government to disclose agreements underpinning the project.

The US Embassy in Kenya has previously sought to reassure residents, saying the bio-isolation facility poses no danger to nearby communities and forms part of broader efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the region.

Police and protest organisers had previously confirmed that two people were killed during earlier demonstrations linked to the facility.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU