Kenya Strengthens Ebola Preparedness as CS Urges Public to Rely on Official Information
Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale says Kenya remains vigilant and is strengthening its capacity to detect and respond to Ebola Virus Disease and other public health threats.
During an engagement on NTV’s Fixing the Nation programme, the CS clarified that Kenya does not have an Ebola outbreak. The confirmed case, which resulted in the patient’s death, was imported by a Kenyan national who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than 652,000 travellers have been screened and 267 samples tested through the national laboratory network. Testing is supported by the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI facilities in Nairobi and Kisumu, and mobile laboratories at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points.
A total of 4,971 healthcare providers at national and county levels have received training in Ebola prevention and case management. Kenya has 15 isolation and treatment units, with plans to expand this capacity to 22 facilities, prioritising counties identified as high risk.
The CS also highlighted the role of digital systems in strengthening health security. National monitoring of intensive care unit bed availability and daily health dashboards covering maternal deaths, newborn outcomes and other priority indicators help authorities identify gaps and respond in good time.
He called for consideration of a 200-bed Level 6 regional infectious disease referral hospital to strengthen Kenya’s long-term capacity to manage outbreaks and complex infectious diseases.
Kenya’s preparedness efforts are supported by the World Bank, the United States Government, WHO, Africa CDC, IGAD and pandemic financing mechanisms. The country is also working with neighbouring states and regional and international partners on surveillance, information sharing and coordinated preparedness.
Hon. Duale said effective response depends on early detection, rapid diagnosis, timely isolation, appropriate treatment and contact tracing. He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant, follow official public health guidance and call the Ministry of Health’s toll-free 719 line for information on Ebola and other health concerns. The line can also guide Kenyans abroad, including on referral or evacuation where required.
He said there is no need for panic, while emphasising the importance of relying on official information.