Police in Kenya fired tear gas and made arrests during fresh protests in the central town of Nanyuki as opposition grew against the construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
The proposed 50-bed center is intended for Americans exposed to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, though US officials have said only asymptomatic individuals would be housed there.
The latest demonstrations followed earlier unrest in which two people were killed and another was wounded during clashes linked to the project.
Residents, local leaders and activists have continued to challenge the facility, citing public health concerns, transparency issues and allegations that authorities are disregarding court orders suspending the project.
The protests come despite a High Court order halting the facility and directing the Kenyan government to disclose agreements related to the project.
Demonstrators carried Kenyan flags, placards and symbolic props, including a coffin marked “Ebola,” while some protesters accused authorities of ignoring community concerns.
Businesses shut across parts of Nanyuki as anti-riot police confronted crowds attempting to march toward the facility.
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua said local leaders and county officials were not informed about the project before construction began, raising concerns over consultation and transparency.
Residents have also expressed fears that the facility could affect tourism, local livelihoods and public confidence in the region.
Satellite imagery reviewed by international media outlets indicates construction activity has continued at the airbase despite the court order, with an increasing number of white tents visible on the site.
US military aircraft have continued transporting personnel and equipment connected to the project, according to reports citing diplomatic and aviation data.
The US government has said it is aware of the legal challenge and is working with Kenyan authorities to address objections.
The US Embassy in Kenya has previously stated that the bio-isolation facility poses no danger to nearby communities and forms part of broader efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak.
Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the plan, saying the request came from the United States and that rejecting it would be “inhuman.”
The controversy has unfolded amid growing concern over the regional Ebola outbreak and continued debate over Kenya’s role in supporting international containment efforts.