The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The United States has pledged $13.5 million (about Ksh 1.75 billion) to support Kenya’s preparedness against Ebola, as cooperation between Nairobi and Washington deepens following reported regional outbreaks and discussions about managing exposed American citizens in Kenya.
According to a statement from U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President William Ruto held talks focusing on the outbreak and ongoing public health response measures.
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The statement noted that the U.S. intends to allocate $13.5 million specifically for Kenya’s Ebola preparedness, in addition to $112 million already committed to support the wider regional response.
The two leaders also discussed ways to secure essential medical supplies and strengthen Kenya’s health system capacity to handle potential Ebola cases. Both sides agreed to maintain close cooperation as the situation develops, reinforcing the long-standing U.S.–Kenya health partnership.
This announcement follows reports suggesting that the U.S. administration was considering relocating American citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for monitoring and treatment, a development that triggered public debate over Kenya’s preparedness and its role in global health security.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed ongoing discussions between Kenya, the U.S., and other partners aimed at enhancing Ebola preparedness and response systems. He emphasized that any cooperation would strictly follow Kenyan laws, biosafety regulations, and public health safeguards.
The Ministry of Health maintains that Kenya is adequately prepared to handle any Ebola threat. It says the country has activated its Incident Management System, strengthened surveillance at entry points, and improved laboratory testing capacity.
So far, more than 55,000 travellers have been screened at border points, and all ten suspected Ebola cases tested in Kenya have returned negative results.
Meanwhile, legal and professional bodies have raised concerns. Katiba Institute has filed a petition at the Milimani High Court seeking to stop any planned Ebola quarantine or treatment facility in Kenya linked to foreign governments. The organization argues that such arrangements should be suspended pending full public participation and legal review.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has also demanded transparency, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the government to disclose details of the alleged negotiations. The union warned of possible nationwide industrial action if the process continues without public accountability and healthcare reforms.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah criticized what he described as “backdoor negotiations,” questioning the government’s commitment to national biosecurity and public welfare.
At the same time, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga defended Kenya’s readiness, stating that the country has strong systems in place to manage infectious disease outbreaks and continues to play an important role in global health security, especially after capacity improvements made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
