Editor's Review
The government has received praise for its response to the Ebola outbreak after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced Ksh45.5 million support.
The government has received praise for its response to the Ebola outbreak after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced financial support of approximately Ksh45.5 million to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to manage public health emergencies.
The support was announced after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya on Tuesday, October 27, to discuss measures Kenya had taken to contain the outbreak.
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During the meeting, Kaseya commended the government’s leadership and response efforts, reaffirming the continental health agency’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s containment measures.
"Kaseya commended Kenya’s decisive leadership and swift response to the Ebola outbreak, and reaffirmed Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting the country’s containment efforts and safeguarding continental health security," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
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Africa CDC also praised Kenya for mobilising resources and implementing measures aimed at detecting cases early, strengthening surveillance and coordinating the national response to limit transmission and protect lives.
The agency noted that Kenya’s response demonstrated the importance of national leadership and ownership in managing public health emergencies.
"Africa CDC praised the Government of Kenya for its strong political leadership, rapid mobilisation and effective containment measures, highlighting the importance of early detection, timely interventions, robust surveillance and coordinated national action in limiting transmission and protecting lives.
"Kenya’s response underscores the critical role of national ownership and leadership in addressing public health emergencies," the statement added.
The financial assistance, estimated at US$350,000, will be directed towards strengthening Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and improving its ability to coordinate responses to public health threats.
The support is intended to enhance the country’s preparedness and coordination capacity as health authorities continue implementing measures to contain the Ebola outbreak.
"In solidarity with Kenya, Africa CDC has mobilised approximately US350,000 to strengthen Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and its capacity to coordinate public health emergencies," the statement further read.
The meeting also highlighted the need for African countries to work together when responding to disease outbreaks, with both leaders stressing that national efforts must be complemented by regional cooperation and timely resource mobilisation.
"Both leaders underscored that no country can confront a public health emergency alone. Strong national responses, backed by continental solidarity, timely resource mobilisation and coordinated action, remain essential to protecting Africa’s collective health security," the statement noted.
Meanwhile, Africa CDC has convened an Extraordinary Meeting of African Ministers of Health scheduled for October 28, 2026, to assess the evolving Ebola situation and agree on urgent measures to contain the outbreak.
This comes a day after the government has released the first 20 people who were quarantined following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported Ebola case, after they completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms.
In a statement on Monday, October 26, the Ministry of Health said the individuals were in good health and were returning to their families.
"Three weeks ago, on 6th October 2026, Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease). Today, the first twenty (20) contacts who have completed the full 21-day monitoring period and are in good health are returning home to their families," the statement read.
The ministry said the remaining 98 contacts would be released in four waves starting November 3, 2026, following individual health assessments.
"The remaining 98 contacts are expected to be released in four waves beginning 3rd November 2026 based on their individual health assessment. This is a milestone worth celebrating, and a clear sign that early identification, quarantine and close monitoring are working. It is also a reminder that the work is not yet done," the statement added.
The ministry also reported progress in investigations into the outbreak, with genomic sequencing indicating a link between the confirmed cases and the initial infection.
"Genomic sequencing of three (3) of the nine samples, show genetic linkage to the first case and to the Bundibugyo virus lineage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sequencing of the remaining six samples is under way," the statement further read.
