Kenya’s Health Ministry Confirms 59 Ebola Cases, Tests Negative
Mary Muthoni, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Health, has verified that all 59 people suspected of having Ebola have tested negative, alleviating public fears.
PS Muthoni made the declaration on June 6 while conducting a health inspection at the Busia-Malaba border.
Kenya is increasing monitoring operations at key entrance ports, including Malaba, which receives between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors every day.
“We have confirmed that 59 individuals suspected of carrying Ebola have all tested negative, which is reassuring, but we are not letting our guard down,” PS Muthoni said.
She acknowledged the strain on border systems, noting that over 300 inbound trucks travel through Malaba every day, making it one of the busiest and most dangerous entrance locations.
The Ministry of Health has intensified Ebola preparedness and response measures at the Malaba border following reported cases in neighbouring Uganda.
During an inspection of the border point of entry, we reaffirmed that Kenya remains free of Ebola Virus Disease, with all 59… pic.twitter.com/qGux43Sjab— Mary Muthoni Muriuki, CBS, HSC (@psmuthoni) June 6, 2026
Despite the negative results, the PS stated that the government is continuing to pay heightened attention due to the region’s exposure risk.
Malaba, which sits directly along the Kenya-Uganda border, is now under heightened watch after Uganda reported confirmed Ebola cases, raising alarm among health officials.
In this regard, PS Muthoni noted that the heightened surveillance is due to Kenya’s proximity to Uganda, adding that the country remains at high risk and must stay extremely vigilant.
Screening at the border is already underway, with health officers working alongside enforcement teams to ensure every traveller is checked before entering the country.
However, Muthoni expressed concern that some travellers were being uncooperative during the screening process, urging the public to take the exercise seriously.
Ahead of the inspection of the Points of Entry at the Malaba Border, we paid a courtesy call on the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Teso North Constituency, Mr. Solomon Kitahi.
We deliberated on coordination strategies and preparedness measures geared towards strengthening… pic.twitter.com/VcSfx2IJjJ— Mary Muthoni Muriuki, CBS, HSC (@psmuthoni) June 6, 2026
Beyond screening, PS Muthoni also reiterated the need for quarantine facilities in all the 47 counties.
The ministry is working around the clock to see it come to realisation, so that the nation has a fallback plan in the event of a positive case.
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“If we had 47 quarantine centers in this country, I would be sleeping easily. But right now, I’m still restless because we need those quarantine centers at whatever cost,” stated PS Muthoni.
“We need, when we have a case, a confirmed case, there is somewhere we can quarantine, we can isolate them, and if we have exposed individuals, there is somewhere they can be quarantined.”
This comes against the backdrop of counties such as Kakamega already planning to establish two quarantine facilities, owing to the fact that it is also near the Busia-Malaba border.
Uganda has thus far reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
The virus is believed to have spread via local transmission, with the majority of the cases reported in Kampala and the neighboring Wakiso district.
Kenya’s Health Ministry Confirms 59 Ebola Cases, Tests Negative
