Image@ BBC
Two individuals lost their lives in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki during demonstrations against plans by the United States to set up an Ebola isolation facility at a nearby military base, according to reports from the BBC.
One of the deceased was shot near the Laikipia Airbase, where protests were occurring.
He succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital by friends.
The second victim was already deceased upon arrival at the hospital, brought in by military personnel.
Details surrounding their deaths remain unclear, and officials have yet to provide any statements regarding the incidents.
A police spokesperson informed Reuters that he was unaware of any fatalities.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters filled the streets of Nanyuki, blocking roadways and igniting tires, while police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Community leader Patrick Wahome, reported that one victim was shot while “heading home after closing his shop.”
Both bodies, now in the morgue, displayed gunshot wounds, one to the chest and another to the shoulder.
The US initiative to create an Ebola treatment center in Kenya has raised public anxiety about potential cross-border infection threats.
The proposed 50-bed isolation facility is set to be staffed by American medical personnel and aims to treat US citizens affected by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Notably, Kenya has not recorded any cases of Ebola thus far.
Last Friday, the High Court ordered a halt to the opening of the center after a rights organization filed a lawsuit claiming that the facility posed “grave and imminent risks” to public health.
In his first public comments on the matter, President William Ruto defended the initiative, asserting that Kenya had “deployed every arsenal” to safeguard its citizens.
He stated that the US government had sought Kenyan assistance in combating the virus, which he readily accepted as part of a “mutual agreement.”
”When President Donald Trump requested Kenya’s support for establishing a center at Laikipia Airbase, I approved it because it was an agreement with friends who have supported Kenya for 30 or 40 years,” he remarked.
Ruto urged Kenyans not to politicize such a serious issue as Ebola and called on politicians to refrain from “reckless” discourse.
”We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing,” he added.
On Tuesday, the High Court extended the suspension of the facility’s opening, mandating that the government disclose further details regarding the proposed Ebola center.
Despite this court order, military aircraft have been observed flying in and out of the airbase, indicating ongoing preparations.
Kenya’s doctors’ union and various government watchdogs have expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns about exposing local populations to potential risks.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong