By Brian Said Iha, June 1, 2026
Fierce street protests broke out on Sunday and Monday in Nanyuki town as hundreds of residents and youth marched towards Laikipia Air Base to oppose the proposed establishment of a U.S.-backed Ebola isolation facility.
The demonstrations, which coincided with the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2026, drew large crowds who voiced strong opposition to the project, forcing a heightened security response around the military installation.
The situation escalated into a tense standoff after Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel deployed heavy water tankers to block protesters from reaching the main gates of the air base. Security officers formed barriers around key access points as the crowds attempted to push forward, leading to prolonged confrontation at the perimeter.
Residents participating in the protests said they were opposing the planned facility due to safety and transparency concerns, while security agencies maintained a heavy presence to prevent any breach of the military installation.
By Monday afternoon, the standoff remained contained at the perimeter of the base, with security forces maintaining control of access routes as demonstrations continued in nearby sections of Nanyuki town.
