Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni/XPublic Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the government is determined to put the facilities in place to ensure any suspected or exposed individuals can be safely managed before the disease spreads.
Speaking during a spot-check visit to the Malaba border, Muthoni stressed the importance of preparedness, saying quarantine centres must be established “at whatever cost” to strengthen the country's response capacity.
The visit comes amid heightened surveillance measures following Ebola cases reported in neighbouring Uganda. Malaba is one of Kenya’s busiest border crossings and serves as a major transit route linking the country to Uganda.
Health authorities have intensified screening of travellers and truck drivers entering Kenya through the border point. The Ministry of Health noted that about 300 trucks cross through Malaba daily, making the area a key focus for disease surveillance efforts.
"The high volume of movement between the two countries requires increased vigilance to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission," the PS said.
As part of ongoing preparedness measures, border health teams have been supplied with thermal guns, gloves, hand sanitisers, handwashing stations, disinfectants, dustbins and cleaning chemicals to support infection prevention and control activities.
The ministry has also strengthened laboratory capacity to support rapid testing and response. Enhanced Ebola testing is currently being conducted through laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu.
PS Muthoni said Kenya has investigated 59 suspected Ebola cases so far, with all samples returning negative results.
"The findings provide reassurance that the country remains free of Ebola despite concerns arising from the regional outbreak."
To further enhance preparedness, the Ministry of Health has rolled out weekly sensitisation sessions targeting truck drivers and other cross-border travellers. Public awareness campaigns are also being expanded to improve understanding of Ebola prevention and early detection.
PS Muthoni urged members of the public to maintain proper hygiene practices, noting that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected persons or contaminated materials.
She also called on hotel operators and accommodation providers to ensure bedding and frequently touched surfaces are regularly disinfected to minimise potential health risks. Frequent handwashing and proper sanitation practices remain critical in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, she added.
At the same time, the Principal Secretary cautioned against the spread of misinformation and unverified reports related to Ebola.
She emphasised that the Ministry of Health remains in control of the situation and continues to closely monitor developments.
The government says surveillance, case management and public awareness activities will remain intensified, particularly in high-risk border regions, as part of efforts to keep Kenya protected from any potential Ebola outbreak.
