ADVERT 
Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya has activated a comprehensive nationwide Ebola preparedness strategy, ramping up surveillance, laboratory testing, border screening and emergency response systems to prevent a potential outbreak amid rising regional concerns.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday told Parliament that the Ministry of Health has moved swiftly to fortify all critical response pillars as cross-border movement heightens the risk of transmission.
“Mr. Speaker, the Ministry has activated preparedness measures across all key response pillars,” Duale said. “These include coordination, surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, logistics, human resources and regional collaboration.”
At the heart of Kenya’s preparedness effort is the activation of the National Incident Management System, which is now coordinating a multi-agency response involving national and county governments alongside development partners.
A national Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan has also been rolled out, supported by a “4-W matrix” — tracking who is doing what, where and when — to enhance accountability and eliminate duplication.
The government has significantly strengthened disease surveillance systems to ensure early detection of suspected Ebola cases. Health facilities and community-based monitoring have been intensified nationwide, with updated Ebola case definitions distributed to all counties.
Rapid Response Teams have been placed on 24-hour standby, ready to respond instantly to any alerts.
Counties have also been instructed to identify and operationalize isolation units, quarantine centers and holding facilities to manage suspected cases swiftly.
Kenya has heightened screening measures at key entry points, including major airports and high-traffic land borders.
Travelers are now subject to mandatory health declarations, temperature checks, symptom assessments and referral protocols. Authorities are also reviewing and activating thermo-scanners, holding rooms and ambulance systems at priority ports of entry.
Given Ebola’s highly infectious and hazardous nature, the government has designated four specialized laboratories for testing:
– National Public Health Laboratory
– KEMRI Nairobi
– KEMRI Kisumu
– A mobile laboratory stationed in Busia
These facilities are equipped for advanced molecular diagnostics, with the mobile lab expected to significantly reduce testing turnaround time in border regions.
Despite strong laboratory capacity, Duale warned that Kenya’s stockpile of critical supplies remains limited.
“Current stocks of specialized test kits, reagents and personal protective equipment can only support approximately the first 200 suspected cases,” he said.
The government is now seeking emergency funding and support from development partners to scale up preparedness capacity.
Authorities have also flagged increased vulnerability due to frequent cross-border movement by Kenyans working in neighboring countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola outbreaks have historically occurred.
Additionally, Kenya has approximately 450 personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions in the DRC, further elevating exposure risks.
“In the event of exposure, these individuals would require quarantine and isolation facilities upon return,” Duale noted.
While Kenya has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases, the government says the heightened preparedness is critical to ensure rapid detection, isolation and containment should the virus breach its borders.
Public health experts emphasize that early action, strong coordination and community awareness will be key to keeping the country safe.
As the region remains on high alert, Kenya’s proactive measures signal a determined effort to stay ahead of one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
