Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed that all suspected Ebola alerts reported across nine counties, including Kiambu County, have tested negative after thorough investigations by Kenya’s national surveillance system.
Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, the CS stated that a total of 22 suspected Ebola alerts had been recorded and investigated across the country, all of which were ruled out after laboratory testing and verification.
Duale told lawmakers that the alerts had been reported from Nairobi, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Nyamira, West Pokot, Kisumu and Bungoma counties, underscoring the widespread nature of surveillance efforts in the country.
“In the last 24 hours, three alerts from Nairobi, Uasin Gishu and Bungoma were investigated and they were confirmed negative,” he said, adding that the rapid response teams continue to remain on standby for immediate deployment whenever new alerts are reported.
The CS further noted that Kenya has activated its National Ebola Incident Management System, a coordinated framework designed to streamline response efforts and strengthen communication between national and county health systems.
The system, which was activated on May 20, operates in collaboration with county public health emergency operations centres, all of which remain on high alert in anticipation of any potential outbreak.
According to Duale, surveillance has also been intensified across health facilities and at all major points of entry, including airports and border crossings, as part of efforts to ensure early detection and containment of any suspected cases.
He added that health advisories have already been issued to all 47 counties, with emphasis placed on strengthening preparedness, reporting mechanisms, and coordination between health workers on the ground.
The Health CS made the remarks amid growing public concern over Ebola preparedness in the country, especially following heightened discussions around regional containment measures and international cooperation on disease surveillance.
His briefing also comes at a time when debates continue over Kenya’s health security strategy, including the establishment of isolation and quarantine facilities aimed at managing potential cases and preventing cross-border transmission.
Duale defended the government’s approach, insisting that Kenya must strengthen its preparedness systems through both local capacity building and international collaboration to manage infectious diseases effectively.
He emphasized that isolation and monitoring facilities are a necessary part of safeguarding public health, particularly in a country that experiences significant cross-border movement of people, including truck drivers and traders.
“We must look at how to save a nation,” he said. “We are more concerned about Americans coming, but we are not concerned about the thousands of Kenyans, truck drivers, who pass every day. Let us not politicise the health of our citizens.”
Despite the concerns, health authorities maintain that Kenya remains free of Ebola cases, with ongoing surveillance expected to continue across all counties, including Kiambu, as part of national preparedness efforts.
