State readies 23 isolation centres, 4 specialised labs for Ebola

Some of the Ministry of Health officials who attended the Ebola preparedness and response briefing chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Harambee House Annex, Nairobi, on June 9 /DPCS

The government is setting up 23 isolation and treatment centres and four specialised laboratories as part of heightened preparedness measures against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following reports of an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The measures are part of a wider national response that includes strengthened surveillance at border crossings and other points of entry, mobilisation of health workers and medical supplies and enhanced infection prevention and control systems.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government had stepped up its preparedness and response efforts to prevent the disease from spreading into Kenya.

Speaking on Tuesday during the meeting where he received a status update on Kenya's Ebola preparedness and response efforts from the Ministry of Health at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi, Kindiki said the country is taking precautionary measures to safeguard public health.

"The government has heightened its preparedness and response to prevent occurrence of Ebola Virus Disease after reports of an outbreak of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Kindiki said.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki speaking during a meeting on Kenya's Ebola preparedness and response status at Harambee House Annex, Nairobi, on June 9, 2026. /DPCS

He said adequate infection prevention and control measures had been activated, while surveillance systems at border crossings and other entry points had been strengthened.

"Adequate Infection Prevention Control (IPC) measures, surveillance at border crossings and other points of entry, mobilisation of health workers and commodity supplies as well as setting up of 23 isolation and treatment centres and four specialised laboratories is underway," he said.

The deputy president said Kenya is working closely with global, regional and bilateral partners to ensure sufficient resources were available to respond to any potential public health threat.

"Due to the interconnectedness of the disease spread and control measures, Kenya is working with global, regional and bilateral partners to ensure all necessary human, financial and other measures are mobilised to address the issue," he said.

Kindiki assured Kenyans that the government was closely monitoring developments and had put in place measures to protect citizens from the disease.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addressing some officials present during a meeting on Ebola preparedness and Taifa Care implementation at Harambee House Annex, Nairobi, on June 9, 2026. /DPCS

"The public is assured that the Government is fully seized of this matter and is requested to remain calm and always seek medical advice in the event of any unusual symptoms," he said.

The deputy president also received updates on the rollout of Taifa Care under the Universal Health Coverage programme.

He directed the Ministry of Health to scale up preparedness efforts and ensure all operational and logistical requirements needed for an effective Ebola response were in place.

The meeting was attended by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth and other senior officials from the Ministry of Health.