Kenya is set to mobilise more than Sh75 billion to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response as the government intensifies surveillance following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case.
The funding package is expected to provide critical support for disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, healthcare worker training, treatment facilities and other emergency response measures.
The proposed funding amounts to Sh51.8 billion from the World Bank, Sh21 billion from the United States and Sh2.6 billion from the National Treasury, bringing the total expected resources to approximately Sh75.4 billion.
The development comes at a time when the Kenyan government is stepping up measures to prevent further transmission of Ebola following the death of a patient confirmed to have the disease.
Kenya intensifies Ebola response
President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the Ebola situation and recommend measures required to protect the country.
According to a statement issued by the State House spokesperson on October 6, 2026, the government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing and other public health interventions following the confirmed imported case.
The authorities have moved quickly to identify people who may have come into contact with the deceased patient.
The government says eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily monitoring for symptoms.
In addition, 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored.
Contact tracing has also been extended to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya.
So far, 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, with appropriate public health measures being undertaken.
Sh75.4 billion Ebola preparedness funding
The expected Sh75.4 billion funding package would significantly increase the resources available for Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response efforts.
The funds are expected to come from three major sources:
| Funding source | Expected amount |
|---|---|
| World Bank | Sh51.8 billion |
| United States | Sh21 billion |
| National Treasury | Sh2.6 billion |
| Total | Sh75.4 billion |
The World Bank is expected to provide the largest share of the funding at Sh51.8 billion, followed by the United States with Sh21 billion.
The National Treasury is expected to contribute Sh2.6 billion, demonstrating the government’s financial commitment to strengthening the country’s preparedness against Ebola and other public health emergencies.
The resources could be important in supporting Kenya’s ability to detect suspected cases early, conduct laboratory tests, isolate patients and trace people who may have been exposed.
Kenya screens more than 650,000 travellers
The government has also provided details of the surveillance measures already being undertaken across the country.
As of October 6, 2026, Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers as part of efforts to detect possible Ebola cases.
A total of 267 samples had been tested across five laboratories.
These include the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NVRL), KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia border in Busia County and the Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County.
Of the 267 samples tested, the government said only one had returned a positive result — the sample belonging to the deceased patient.
No additional positive cases had been detected as of the date of the statement.
The figures highlight the scale of the surveillance operation being undertaken by Kenyan health authorities following confirmation of the imported Ebola case.
Nearly 5,000 healthcare workers trained
Kenya has also been strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers to deal with possible Ebola infections.
According to the government, 4,971 healthcare workers have been trained at national and sub-national levels in Ebola prevention, detection and management.
Training is considered an important component of outbreak preparedness because healthcare workers are often among those at greatest risk of exposure when dealing with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients.
The government is therefore expected to continue investing in training, protective equipment, surveillance and infection-prevention measures as part of the response.
Kenya increases Ebola treatment capacity
The government has identified several health facilities to manage Ebola patients if additional cases are confirmed.
The designated facilities include Kenyatta National Hospital, which has eight beds; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, with 50 beds; National Police Hospital, with 49 beds; and The Nairobi Hospital, with 143 beds.
The government said several county isolation centres are also available.
Authorities have indicated that this capacity can be expanded as the situation develops, with additional facilities potentially being designated if necessary.
The expansion of isolation and treatment capacity is aimed at ensuring that suspected and confirmed patients can be managed safely while reducing the risk of transmission to healthcare workers, other patients and the wider community.
Deceased patient safely buried
The government also confirmed that the deceased Ebola patient had been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
Safe burial is a particularly important component of Ebola response because the virus can remain highly infectious after death.
Public health authorities therefore use specialised procedures when handling the bodies of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola infection.
What Kenyans have been told
The government has urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant as health authorities continue monitoring the situation.
Members of the public have been advised to observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people displaying symptoms associated with Ebola.
The symptoms listed by the government include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Anyone experiencing such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed Ebola case, has been advised to avoid close contact with other people and immediately seek guidance and care from a recognised health facility.
The public has also been encouraged to report individuals suspected of having been exposed to Ebola or displaying symptoms consistent with the disease to health authorities.
Government promises continued surveillance
The Ministry of Health is expected to issue additional guidelines outlining safeguards and preventive measures for individuals and institutions.
The government has said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity where necessary.
The expected Sh75.4 billion Ebola preparedness and response funding could therefore play a major role in supporting these measures, particularly if Kenya needs to expand its emergency response capacity.
For now, the government maintains that the confirmed case is an imported case and that surveillance has not identified additional positive cases as of October 6, 2026.
The combination of enhanced border screening, laboratory testing, contact tracing, healthcare worker training and expanded isolation capacity is intended to prevent the disease from spreading further.
Key facts about Kenya’s Ebola response
- Expected total funding: Sh75.4 billion
- World Bank contribution: Sh51.8 billion
- United States contribution: Sh21 billion
- National Treasury contribution: Sh2.6 billion
- Travellers screened: 652,584
- Samples tested: 267
- Positive samples: 1
- Family members under quarantine: 8
- Healthcare workers under quarantine: 21
- Passengers traced: 27
- Healthcare workers trained: 4,971
- Confirmed additional cases as of October 6: None
The government says Kenya remains prepared to respond to the public health emergency and will continue keeping the country informed as new developments emerge.
