Kenya Reveals Its Ebola Preparedness Plan Amid Negative Tests
Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Adan Duale, has disclosed that the country may seek assistance from medical specialists from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone in the fight against an Ebola outbreak.
CS Duale disclosed the information at a fundraising event for Darulhikma and Taqwa Madrassas in Bura Constituency, Tana River County, where he addressed growing public concern over the disease.
The CS stated that the government is looking for specialists who have already faced Ebola and other catastrophic outbreaks on the front lines, as well as countries with firsthand experience suppressing lethal diseases.
“In readiness for a possible Ebola outbreak in the country, the government has made plans to rely on Medics from DRC and Sierra Leone in 2012, who were at the time battling Ebola and Cholera outbreaks respectively,” stated CS Duale.
For the thousands of travellers, traders, and families who cross through Malaba every day, heightened Ebola preparedness measures are helping to keep communities safe amid the ongoing outbreak in neighbouring Uganda.
Speaking during an inspection of the Malaba Border Point of… pic.twitter.com/sU96qUKoZd— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) June 6, 2026
CS Health Hon Aden Duale confirms that, as of today, there is no Ebola Virus Disease in the country. Kenya remains on high alert. For emergencies or to report a suspected case, dial the toll-free emergency number 719#. pic.twitter.com/GS3iaQ49RB— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) June 7, 2026
DRC stands out as a key source of this expertise, having fought multiple Ebola outbreaks over the decades, including a significant one in 2012 in the northeastern Province Orientale.
That 2012 DRC outbreak was caused by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, a particularly dangerous variant that had no approved vaccines or targeted treatments at the time.
Medics who responded to that crisis, operating mainly in Isiro, had to rely entirely on strict containment protocols and supportive care to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Sierra Leone is the other country Kenya is looking to for medical support, a nation that has its own history of navigating severe disease emergencies and building resilient health response systems.
Sierra Leone faced its severe Ebola outbreaks in May 2014 and November 2015.
Kenya Ebola surveillance:
CS Duale assures surveillance at all points of entry
Duale: All our laboratories are on high alert
67 tests on suspected cases have turned negative. Nyanza leaders call for surveillance across L. Victoria#CitizenSundayLive pic.twitter.com/I20oOhGguy— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 7, 2026
It has since produced seasoned health workers with direct epidemic response experience, making it a valuable partner in Kenya’s preparedness plan.
The 2012 DRC response involved a broad coalition of global health bodies, including Médecins Sans Frontières, which arrived on the ground on August 9 that year and set up a treatment centre inside Isiro General Hospital.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) deployed epidemiologists and disease trackers, while the Congolese Red Cross handled patient transport and safe burials to prevent further spread of the virus.
Lab support came from the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), all running mobile testing units on the ground.
Duale also received rallying calls from the Lake Region, such as the Homa-Bay senator Moses Kajwang, to set up more screening zones around Lake Victoria.
This is due to the constant interaction with Ugandan fishermen, as Uganda reports over 50 Ebola virus deaths.
Uganda, being a hotspot, has forced the Kenyan government to intensify 24/7 traveller screening at the Busia and Malaba border posts.
Kenya Reveals Its Ebola Preparedness Plan Amid Negative Tests
