Transport was paralysed in Nanyuki town on Monday after protesters lit bonfires along major roads and engaged in running battles with police.
The protests have been staged to opposethe proposed establishment of a U.S.-linked Ebola virus quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.
The demonstrations disrupted movement in and around the town, forcing motorists to turn back or seek alternative routes as roads were blocked by burning debris and crowds of protesters.
Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, triggering confrontations that lasted for several hours in parts of the town.
By Monday afternoon, security officers remained deployed in several parts of the town as efforts continued to restore normal transport and business operations.
Hundreds of youth and local residents marched through Nanyuki carrying placards and tree branches, demanding the complete cancellation of the project, which they fear could expose the community to serious health risks.
The protesters expressed concern that the proposed quarantine facility could increase the possibility of an Ebola outbreak in the region and put nearby residents at risk.
"It is the Ebola facility they plan to construct here that we do not want," one demonstrator said during the protest.
The demonstrations took place despite a High Court order that temporarily halted plans to establish the facility pending the determination of legal proceedings.
However, the protesters maintained that a temporary suspension was not enough and insisted that the project should be abandoned altogether.
Residents argued that they had not been adequately consulted and called on the government and relevant authorities to address public concerns surrounding the facility.
The unrest brought business activities to a standstill in parts of Nanyuki as traders and commuters were forced to contend with blocked roads, heavy police presence and intermittent clashes between officers and protesters.
The proposed quarantine centre has generated significant debate in recent weeks, with opponents questioning its potential impact on public health and safety, while authorities have maintained that the project is intended to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.
Videos and images from the scene showed large crowds moving through major streets, with some protesters blocking roads as they voiced their opposition to the proposed facility.
Security was heightened across Nanyuki, with heavily deployed police officers and the military monitoring the demonstrations.
Tensions escalated later in the day as police attempted to disperse the crowds and restore order, leading to running battles between officers and protesters in parts of the town.
The proposed quarantine facility has generated significant public debate in recent days, with residents, local leaders, and various stakeholders raising concerns over its potential impact on public health and safety.
