Kenyan police fire tear gas at protest against US Ebola quarantine centre plan

Police in Kenya have fired tear gas to break up a protest in the central town of Nanyuki against the construction of an Ebola quarantine centre for US citizens.

Small groups of demonstrators, who were waving Kenyan flags, carrying placards and holding a coffin with the word "Ebola" written on the side, were demanding the plan be reversed.

Last week, two people died after being shot as police dispersed similar protests.

The US plan has sparked public concern about cross-border infection risks and the lack of transparency from the government about the treatment centre.

Last month, the High Court said the opening of the facility should be halted after a rights group opened a case alleging it posed "grave and imminent risks" to public health.

Protester Priscilla Imani told the Reuters news agency that the US plan has affected Nanyuki and the wider Laikipia county with people being afraid to visit.

"My message is this, Laikipia is not a dumping site and our voices must be heard," she said.

The proposed 50-bed isolation centre is to be staffed by US medics and is intended to treat Americans affected by the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.