Violence has broken out in the Kenyan town of Kisumu, where a protest against the construction of a US-funded Ebola quarantine centre has left at least three people dead and 14 injured, according to local health officials.
The demonstration, which began peacefully on Thursday morning, turned deadly when police opened fire on a crowd of several hundred people who had gathered outside the facility. Witnesses reported that security forces used live ammunition and tear gas after protesters began throwing stones and setting fire to vehicles.
The quarantine centre, part of a broader US-Africa health security initiative, was announced by the State Department in February. Its construction has been a source of tension in the region, with local leaders arguing that the facility was imposed without adequate consultation. Some residents fear the centre will bring economic disruption to the area, while others have expressed distrust over the government's handling of public health measures.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o condemned the violence and called for an independent inquiry into the police response. In a statement, he said: "The loss of life is unacceptable. We must ensure that such tragedies do not recur."
The US embassy in Nairobi has expressed regret over the incident and urged all parties to exercise restraint. A spokesperson said the centre was designed to strengthen regional capacity to respond to potential Ebola outbreaks, not to impose quarantine measures on local communities.
The Kenyan government has yet to comment on the specific allegations of excessive force. However, Interior Secretary Fred Matiang'i has announced a curfew in the affected area until further notice.
The incident comes amid growing unease over foreign-led health initiatives in East Africa. Analysts note that the region has a history of suspicion towards external health interventions dating back to colonial-era medical campaigns. In recent years, misinformation on social media has amplified fears of exploitation or experimentation.
The centre, which is nearing completion, is intended to serve as a regional hub for diagnostics and isolation in the event of an Ebola outbreak. Health experts warn that while the need for such facilities is clear, their success depends on community engagement and transparency. The current unrest suggests that these conditions have not been met in Kisumu.
