The Ministry of Health has raised its level of preparedness against the Ebola outbreak in the country amid thousands of deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Principal Secretary for the State Department of Public Health, Mary Muthoni, confirmed that Kenya is at 81 per cent readiness to respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly disease.per cent
In a statement on Tuesday, August 18, Muthoni confirmed that the country has not yet recorded any cases of Ebola but remains on high alert for a potential outbreak.
She further revealed that, so far, the country has recorded 196 suspected alerts, all of which have turned out negative.
A photo of Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni speaking to the media during the launch of the emergency response to combat Kala-azar disease on Friday, March 28, 2025.
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Mary Muthoni
“The Ministry of Health, through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), reassures the public of the country’s heightened state of readiness and vigilance following the ongoing Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” Muthoni stated.
“Kenya has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola to date. All 196 suspected alert samples tested nationally have returned negative results. However, due to Kenya’s strategic position as a major regional transport and travel hub with extensive links across East and Central Africa, strict surveillance and rapid response protocols remain on high alert,” she added.
Nevertheless, the ministry has intensified surveillance because of Kenya’s strategic position as a major regional transport and travel hub, with extensive links to East and Central African countries.
According to the Ministry of Health, More than 450,000 inbound travellers have already been screened at designated points of entry, with surveillance strengthened at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and border crossings.
The PS said digital screening tools, including the WhatsApp-based UHAI chatbot, are being used to strengthen monitoring and identify potential cases early.
Kenya has also expanded its laboratory capacity to facilitate rapid testing of suspected cases. Dedicated facilities, including the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI laboratories and mobile laboratories in Busia and Bungoma, are supporting the response.
At the same time, the ministry has secured and distributed more than 15,000 units of personal protective equipment and other infection prevention supplies, including sanitiser, thermometers and biosafety equipment, particularly in high-risk areas.
The United States government recently announced an additional Ksh31 billion (USD242 million) to support immediate Ebola response and preparedness in Africa, including strengthening Kenya’s health system against the virus.
According to the Trump administration, the fund was intended to support surveillance and detection, isolation and treatment of Ebola patients, screening at borders and points of entry, strengthening of health facilities and laboratories, and community engagement to counter misinformation surrounding the outbreak.
The move comes as DRC is hit by the virus outbreak, with reports indicating that one person succumbs every 30 minutes to the virus.
Health CS Aden Duale observing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Nairobi, June 10, 2026.
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MoH
