Nairobi. Two people have been shot dead during protests in western Kenya against a United States-run Ebola research facility, as the British government warned that the project risked undermining Kenyan sovereignty.
The deaths occurred in the town of Kisumu, where demonstrators had gathered outside the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) facility, which is operated in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Witnesses reported that security forces opened fire after the crowd turned violent, throwing stones and attempting to breach the perimeter. A police spokesman confirmed the two fatalities, saying officers had acted in self-defence. The injured, including three police officers, have been taken to hospital.
The protests were organised by a coalition of local activists and opposition figures who claim the facility is being used for covert medical experiments without proper consent. Social media posts circulating in the region have alleged that the centre is linked to a broader US agenda to control African populations. These claims have been denied by both the US embassy in Nairobi and the Kenyan health ministry.
In a separate development, the British Foreign Office issued a statement expressing concern over the potential erosion of Kenya’s decision-making autonomy. A spokesperson said: “The United Kingdom respects Kenya’s right to host international partners, but we urge transparency and adherence to national sovereignty. Any foreign-run health facility must operate under full Kenyan jurisdiction.” The statement stopped short of calling for the centre to be closed, but it added weight to growing calls for a review of bilateral agreements governing such institutions.
The US-KEMRI partnership has operated in Kenya for decades, focusing on infectious disease research including Ebola, HIV and malaria. However, the current unrest reflects a broader trend of suspicion towards foreign involvement in African health systems, amplified by the legacy of colonial-era medical abuses and recent controversies over vaccine mandates.
Kenya’s interior minister, Kithure Kindiki, described the protesters as “misguided agitators” and vowed to maintain order. He said an investigation into the shootings would be conducted, but insisted that the facility was vital for regional health security. Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the violence and called for an independent inquiry, while also questioning the lack of public consultation over the centre’s operations.
The deaths are likely to intensify debate in the Kenyan parliament, where some MPs have already tabled a motion to suspend the facility’s activities pending a full audit. The US embassy has urged calm and reiterated its commitment to working with Kenya on health priorities.
For the United Kingdom, the warning signals a careful balancing act. London has sought to maintain strong ties with both Nairobi and Washington, but the sovereignty issue taps into a sensitive nerve in post-colonial diplomacy. The Foreign Office’s intervention is expected to feature in upcoming bilateral talks between Kenyan and British officials.
The situation in Kisumu remains tense, with a heavy police presence and sporadic stone-throwing reported. Local leaders have appealed for dialogue, but the underlying grievances show little sign of abating.
