Tensions escalated in Nanyuki on Tuesday as protesters engaged police in running battles over a controversial U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base. Police fired tear gas and arrested several demonstrators as residents renewed their opposition to the project.

The proposed 50-bed facility is intended to quarantine American citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. U.S. officials have stated that only asymptomatic individuals would be housed at the center, while those who develop symptoms would be transferred elsewhere for treatment.

The project has sparked fierce resistance among residents of Nanyuki and leaders in Laikipia County, many of whom argue that Kenya should not shoulder the risks associated with managing foreign Ebola cases. Protesters have questioned why the United States, with its advanced healthcare infrastructure, is seeking to quarantine its citizens in Kenya instead of on American soil.

Tuesday's demonstrations came despite ongoing court proceedings. Kenya's High Court had earlier issued conservatory orders suspending the establishment and operationalization of the facility pending the hearing of a petition filed by legal and constitutional organizations challenging the arrangement. Critics argue that the government has not been sufficiently transparent about its agreement with Washington.

According to Reuters, police dispersed protesters using tear gas and detained several individuals as demonstrators attempted to sustain pressure on both the Kenyan and U.S. governments. The protests follow earlier unrest in which at least two people were reportedly killed during demonstrations linked to the Ebola facility controversy.

President William Ruto has defended the project, describing it as the "right thing" to do and part of broader health preparedness efforts. The United States has pledged approximately $13.5 million toward Kenya's Ebola preparedness and response capacity.

However, opposition continues to grow among residents, local leaders, civil society groups, and legal activists who fear the facility could expose Kenya to unnecessary health risks despite the country not having recorded any Ebola cases. The matter is expected to remain before the courts as public pressure intensifies.