“Kenya Ready for Ebola Threat,” Govt Speaks as Reports Emerge of U.S Patients Being Sent to Nairobi

The Ministry of Health has moved to calm Kenyans amid reports claiming that the United States could send Ebola-exposed patients to Kenya for specialised treatment and monitoring.

In a statement released on Wednesday, May 27, the ministry assured the public that the country remains fully prepared to deal with any Ebola-related threat, stressing that all health decisions would strictly follow Kenya’s laws, biosafety rules, and public health regulations aimed at protecting citizens.

According to the ministry, Kenya is currently engaging in discussions with the U.S government and other international partners on ways of strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms against Ebola and other emerging diseases. 

However, officials stopped short of confirming whether there is a direct agreement involving the transfer of patients to Kenya.

The government emphasized that any international health cooperation would only proceed under strict measures designed to safeguard the health and welfare of Kenyans.

Health CS Aden Duale further revealed that the country has already activated its national Incident Management System (IMS), increased surveillance at all entry points, strengthened coordination between national and county governments, and designated specialised laboratories for Ebola testing.

The ministry also disclosed that screening at border points has been intensified, with more than 55,000 travelers already screened across various entry points since Ebola concerns emerged. 

Authorities confirmed that no positive Ebola case has been detected in Kenya so far.

The developments come as several Americans exposed to the Ebola virus continue receiving treatment and monitoring abroad, including in Germany and the Czech Republic. 

Reports also indicate that one American has already tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The situation has also drawn attention because of the recently signed Ksh200 billion Kenya-U.S Health Cooperation Framework, a five-year agreement signed in December 2025. 

The deal allows direct U.S health funding to Kenyan government institutions following the closure of USAID operations by President Donald Trump.

Part of the agreement includes absorbing over 13,000 health workers into the public sector while boosting disease control systems and digital health security, areas seen as critical as global concerns over Ebola continue rising.