Laikipia County residents on Monday gathered at Nanyuki town to protest the setting up of an American Ebola quarantine centre at Laikipia Airbase.
The protests began at the Nanyuki bus stage and then proceeded to Laikipia Airbase, where the quarantine centre is being constructed. The quarantine centre was set up after President William Ruto approved it, following an offer of Sh 1.7 billion from the US government to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leadership.
During the demos, anti-riot police engaged with protesters for the better part of the day. According to reports, some people have been injured in the melee.
The protesters said the Ebola quarantine facility will expose the community to unnecessary health risks and a potential outbreak of the deadly virus in the country.
“It is the Ebola facility they plan to construct here that we do not want,” one protester said. “They should all go. No to an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki,” another one was heard saying.
Here are photos of the Nanyuki protests.
