Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has stated that tourism businesses in Laikipia County are already feeling the impact of fears surrounding a proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki.

In a statement on his X account on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Salasya claimed that several hotels in the region have reported booking cancellations as concerns grow among visitors over the planned facility.

Salasya criticised the government’s handling of the matter, arguing that authorities have failed to adequately engage the public and address concerns raised by residents and stakeholders.

“This government must learn, you cannot build public health on the ruins of public trust,” Salasya said.

He noted that public confidence and transparency are equally critical in implementing such projects, while strengthening the country’s disease preparedness and response systems is important.

According to Salasya, the reported cancellations in hotels could have a negative effect on tourism, a key economic activity in Laikipia County, if fears surrounding the facility are not addressed.

“Today tourism in Laikipia has been affected heavily after hotels reported cancellations linked to fears over the proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki,” Salasya stated.

Laikipia protest over the planned facility

Anti-riot police officers on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, contained protesters who gathered in Nanyuki town, protesting against the proposed US-linked Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, leading to running battles in several sections of the busy urban centre.

The demonstrations, which disrupted business activities and transport, saw groups of protesters occupy major roads as police attempted to disperse the crowds and restore order.

Witnesses said the situation escalated after protesters ignored police directives to vacate key streets, forcing security officers to intervene.

Some roads remained partially inaccessible for several hours as traders and motorists monitored developments from a distance.

Police officers deployed anti-riot equipment and established strategic positions around the town to prevent further movement of protesters into sensitive areas.

One dead over protest

One person was reported dead in Likii slum, Nanyuki, as tensions escalated during protests, with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) claiming that police fired live bullets and arrested at least 19 protesters during the demonstrations.

The circumstances surrounding the reported death remain unclear, and authorities have not issued an official confirmation or details on what transpired in Likii.

In a video seen by People Daily Digital, chaotic scenes showed protests intensifying in the Likii slum during the confrontation.

Voices were heard in the footage chanting “umeua, wewe ndio umemuua” as tensions rose following reports of a shooting in the area. The video did not independently confirm the identity of the deceased or the exact cause of the reported death.