The victims were among the hundreds of protesters who had gathered near the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, Kenya, where the government plans to build a 50-bed quarantine facility to temporarily house and monitor people exposed to Ebola.
The plan comes from a bilateral agreement between Kenyan President William Ruto and the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Police fired tear gas and live ammunition as demonstrators marched towards the military base, blocked roads and burned tyres during clashes with security forces. Both victims died from gunshot wounds sustained during the confrontation. One of them was reportedly a local shopkeeper who had closed his business because of the unrest and was attempting to return home when he was shot.
According to reports, the facility will be used for asymptomatic American citizens, medical missionaries and other personnel who may have been exposed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Kenya has not recorded any cases so far, despite widespread testing of arrivals, but neighbouring Uganda has registered 11 cases, including one death.
The proposal has faced strong opposition from local residents and health professionals.
