By Brian Said Iha, Nairobi, June 3, 2026
Anti-riot police in Nairobi have arrested five activists following a dramatic protest in the Central Business District (CBD) where demonstrators marched while carrying a mock coffin labeled “Ebola” in opposition to a controversial U.S. biosecurity arrangement.
The protest, which unfolded on Tuesday, was staged to express opposition to reports of a proposed agreement that would allow individuals exposed to Ebola to be quarantined under joint Kenyan–U.S. health arrangements. Protesters argued that the deal poses potential public health risks and undermines national sovereignty in disease control protocols.
According to eyewitness accounts, the activists marched through sections of the CBD carrying symbolic coffins while chanting anti-government slogans, drawing the attention of both the public and security officers deployed in the area.
Police responded by dispersing the crowd using tear gas canisters, forcing the demonstrators to abandon the mock coffins on the tarmac as the situation escalated. The rapid response led to the arrest of five activists who were identified by officers at the scene as key participants in the protest.
Law enforcement officials said the arrested individuals are being investigated over charges including unlawful assembly, creating a public nuisance and engaging in conduct deemed provocative toward the presidency. The suspects are expected to be processed through the relevant legal channels as investigations continue.
Following the dispersal of the protest, witnesses reported seeing police officers collecting the abandoned mock coffins and loading them into a police vehicle along Juja Road. Authorities indicated that the items would be retained for further examination and documentation as part of the case file.
The protest highlights growing public debate over Kenya’s biosecurity preparedness and international health partnerships, particularly in relation to the handling of highly infectious diseases such as Ebola. Critics of the proposed arrangements have raised concerns about transparency and safety protocols, while government officials have continued to defend the measures as part of broader emergency preparedness efforts.
Security in Nairobi CBD remained heightened following the incident, with police maintaining a visible presence to prevent any further demonstrations.
As investigations continue, the case is expected to further intensify discussions around public health policy, civil liberties and national security in the context of international disease response cooperation.
