NANYUKI, Kenya –The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has accused police of fatally shooting a protester during demonstrations in Nanyuki against the proposed US-backed Ebola facility in Laikipia County.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the rights organisation said the victim was shot by police at around 4 p.m. as residents continued protests demanding transparency over the facility and assurances regarding public health safety.
According to KHRC, the latest death brings to three the number of protesters allegedly killed during demonstrations linked to opposition against the proposed facility.
The commission claimed that two other protesters were killed during earlier demonstrations last week.
“By 4 pm today, police deployed in Nanyuki shot and killed one protester. Locals hit the streets demanding transparency about the US-backed Ebola facility and solid guarantees for the protection of public health,” KHRC said.
The rights group further alleged that an autopsy conducted on one of the previous victims showed he died after being shot in the chest.
“An autopsy showed one was shot straight in the chest, a single bullet causing massive bleeding,” the commission stated.
KHRC also claimed that Tuesday’s victim was shot in the head.
The organisation accused police of acting with impunity and called for investigations into the deaths.
“IPOA must move fast. The officers responsible must be held criminally liable for these killings. So should their command,” the commission said.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The demonstrations have been driven by concerns surrounding the proposed Ebola facility linked to the United States, with protesters demanding disclosure of agreements, negotiations, safety assessments and operational protocols related to the project.
The protests in Nanyuki come amid ongoing public debate and legal challenges surrounding the proposed facility at Laikipia Air Base.
