India hands Kenya 11 tonnes of Ebola response supplies

Indian High Commissioner Dr Adarsh Swaika hands medical supplies to PS Mary Muthoni on October 19, 2026./HANDOUTHigh Commissioner Dr. Adarsh Swaika addresses officials at the KEMSA headquarters/ HANDOUTKenya has received 11 tonnes of medical supplies and specialised equipment from India to strengthen its preparedness for Ebola and other public health emergencies as the country responds to confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease.

The consignment was handed over by India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Adarsh Swaika, to Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, October 19.

The assistance includes 30,000 N95 masks, more than 7,000 impermeable protective gowns, approximately 10,000 heavy-duty nitrile gloves, 60 powered air-purifying respirators, six Class II/III biosafety cabinets and four cold-chain refrigerators.

The equipment is intended to strengthen infection prevention, laboratory safety and the storage of temperature-sensitive medical supplies.

“Today’s handover reflects the close friendship between India and Kenya and the people-centred character of their development partnership,” the High Commission of India in Nairobi said in its press release.

The diplomatic mission also reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s healthcare systems through medical assistance, training, capacity building and institutional partnerships.

The latest consignment comes as Kenya strengthens its response to Ebola following confirmation of three cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, including one death, by October 16, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The country’s first confirmed case was imported by a Kenyan citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Two subsequent cases were identified among close family members of the first patient.

The new equipment is expected to reinforce the capacity of healthcare personnel to prevent infections and handle suspected or confirmed cases safely, particularly in settings where appropriate protective gear and laboratory precautions are essential.

“These supplies and equipment will strengthen infection prevention and control, laboratory biosafety and cold-chain capacity, while enhancing the protection of frontline healthcare personnel,” the High Commission stated.

According to the WHO’s October 16 update, the two subsequent patients had been in quarantine before developing symptoms.

The organisation reported that Kenya had identified 130 contacts linked to the initial case, with 120 in quarantine and 10 still being traced at the time.

There was no evidence of wider community transmission in the report.

The latest donation builds on earlier assistance from New Delhi. On July 22, India handed over approximately five tonnes of essential medical supplies to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness.

According to the Ministry of Health, that earlier consignment included personal protective equipment, rapid diagnostic kits, infrared thermometers and other emergency response supplies.

It was intended to replenish the national public health emergency strategic stockpile, protect frontline personnel and strengthen the country’s ability to detect and respond to potential infections.

India has also extended assistance beyond Kenya through its contribution of more than 45 tonnes of medical supplies to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in May 2026 to support regional Ebola preparedness and response efforts.

The partnership between the two countries also encompasses wider healthcare development.

The High Commission cited India’s supply of 1.12 million doses of locally manufactured COVID-19 vaccines to Kenya under its Vaccine Maitri initiative, alongside essential medicines and other medical assistance.

Other projects include the establishment of a CT scan complex at the Kenya Navy Hospital in Mombasa in 2025 and the donation of a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine to Kenyatta National Hospital in 2018.

India has also committed to installing an MRI machine at the naval hospital and supporting healthcare training programmes.

In its statement, the High Commission said the latest handover formed part of its broader efforts to strengthen public health systems and emergency response capabilities through cooperation with Kenya.

“India remains committed to working closely with Kenya to strengthen public-health systems and emergency-response capabilities through medical assistance, capacity building, training and institutional partnerships,” the mission stated.

The handover was announced by the High Commission of India in Nairobi on October 19, 2026, as Kenya continues to strengthen its capacity to respond to public health emergencies.