People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has demanded answers from the government after violent protests against a proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia County left at least three people dead.
The protests, centred in Nanyuki, turned deadly as residents rejected plans to establish a quarantine centre linked to exposure cases of Ebola.
In a sharp statement on her official X account on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Karua questioned the government’s decision-making and condemned the use of force on demonstrators.
She said young Kenyans, already weighed down by joblessness and the high cost of living, should not be forced to live in fear of a deadly outbreak in their own backyard.
“A young Kenyan, already carrying the burdens faced by many of our youth like unemployment, high cost of living, and an uncertain future, now has to worry the deadly Ebola disease could be brought into his community,” she said.
Her remarks followed another fatal shooting during Tuesday’s protests, deepening outrage over the police response and the handling of the demonstrations.
Karua sent condolences to bereaved families, saying the deaths raised serious questions that could not be ignored.
“He joins others to ask questions and seek answers, only to never make it back home,” she said. “No Kenyan should lose their life for raising concerns about the health and safety of their community.”
She added that the state must face hard questions over its handling of the crisis.
“Kenyans deserve answers, transparency, and meaningful engagement… not bullets and tear gas,” she said.
Nanyuki boils over
The unrest began after residents rejected plans for the quarantine facility, fearing it could expose the community to Ebola risks.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, rights group Vocal Africa said one protester was shot dead during running battles with police.
“Tensions flared in Nanyuki as police opened fire… leaving one demonstrator dead,” the group said.
That death pushed the toll to three, according to activists monitoring the protests.
What began as street protests quickly escalated into chaos as crowds blocked roads, paralysing business and transport in Nanyuki town.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannons as they moved to clear major streets and restore order.
Some protesters defied orders to disperse, triggering hours of confrontations across the town centre.
Heavy-handed response questioned
Security forces later took control of key roads and installed roadblocks as calm slowly returned.
But the operation has drawn sharp criticism, with rights groups questioning the use of live ammunition and calling for independent investigations into the deaths.
Authorities have yet to give a detailed statement on the fatalities or clarify the status of the proposed Ebola quarantine facility, leaving residents in uncertainty.
As anger simmers in Laikipia, pressure is mounting on the government to explain both the project and the policing of protests that turned deadly.
