Former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru has strongly criticised the government over what she termed as the excessive use of force in handling protests in Nanyuki against the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility in the area

Speaking to the media on Monday, June 1, 2026, the Laikipia gubernatorial hopeful claimed that what started as peaceful demonstrations by residents seeking to air their grievances was infiltrated by goons ferried from Nairobi and Kiambu counties to derail the course of the protests.

“The protests began peacefully today and continued without incident until goons infiltrated what had been a peaceful cause. We know who sponsored these goons. They infiltrated the protests so that they could disrupt them and bring them to an early end.”

Waruguru maintained that Nanyuki residents had been demonstrating peacefully before the situation escalated. According to her, the locals were not responsible for burning tyres or engaging in acts of destruction that were later witnessed during the protests.

She also faulted the police response, alleging that officers used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters. Despite the crackdown, Waruguru insisted that residents would not be intimidated into abandoning their opposition to the proposed facility.

She vowed that the demonstrations would continue until plans to establish the Ebola quarantine facility are shelved.

Ebola quarantine facility

This comes after Nanyuki residents came out strongly to oppose plans to establish a proposed Ebola quarantine facility in the town, insisting it poses a direct risk to the local community.

Speaking during local mobilisation on Monday, June 1, 2026, one resident, Martin Ndegwa, said the community would not accept the project under any circumstances.

“And we are here to categorically say hell no to an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki. It is right at our doorstep. It is right in town,” he said.

He questioned the logic of hosting such a facility in Kenya while the disease is mainly reported elsewhere.

Nanyuki protests

Earlier in the day, the protests had remained largely peaceful, with hundreds of Nanyuki residents thronging the streets to voice their opposition to the proposed Ebola quarantine facility at the Nanyuki Military Air Base

One of the commanders was seen engaging the protesters and urging them to remain calm while preventing them from entering the base.

Meanwhile, leaders from the opposition have planned a trip to the area later this week to stand in solidarity with local residents as they continue opposing the proposed establishment of the quarantine facility.