Hundreds of residents marched through the streets of Nanyuki on Monday in protest against a proposed Ebola quarantine facility, reflecting growing public unease over a project that has already drawn legal and political scrutiny.
Carrying placards and waving leafy branches, demonstrators moved through parts of the town chanting slogans and demanding that authorities abandon plans to establish the facility in the area.
For many residents, the issue is rooted in fears about public safety.
“It is the Ebola facility they plan to construct here that we do not want,” one protester said during the demonstrations. Another added: “No to the Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki.”
Videos circulating online showed large crowds gathering along major roads, with some sections temporarily blocked as protesters voiced their opposition.
Fears Over Public Health
Residents argue that hosting a quarantine centre for individuals exposed to the Ebola virus could place the community at risk, despite assurances from health authorities that such facilities are designed to prevent transmission rather than spread disease.
The proposed centre, which has become the focus of national debate in recent weeks, is reportedly intended to accommodate United States citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola while travelling in affected regions.
The facility is expected to be located within the Nanyuki airbase and managed by the Kenya Defence Forces, according to reports that have fuelled public concern and sparked criticism from some leaders and civil society groups.
Police Move In
As the demonstrations gathered momentum, police officers were deployed to restore order. Witnesses reported confrontations between officers and some protesters, although the full extent of any injuries or arrests was not immediately clear.
The protests marked the latest chapter in a dispute that has increasingly moved beyond health concerns and into the courts.
Court Suspends Project
The proposed facility is currently on hold after the High Court issued conservatory orders suspending its construction pending the hearing and determination of a petition challenging the project.
The case has intensified scrutiny of the government’s plans and raised broader questions about public participation, transparency and community consultation in decisions involving public health infrastructure.
Despite the court order, the Ministry of Health has indicated that it intends to challenge the suspension and remains confident the project can proceed once legal hurdles are addressed.
Regional Outbreak Raises Concerns
The controversy comes as East African countries remain on alert following Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Health authorities have stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures across the region. As of June 1, however, Kenya had not confirmed any Ebola cases.
Public health experts have long maintained that properly managed quarantine facilities are an important tool in containing infectious diseases. Yet in Nanyuki, many residents remain unconvinced, insisting that their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
For now, the future of the proposed facility appears likely to be decided not only in government offices but also in the courts, where the legal challenge is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
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