By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 24 May 2026 - Kenya’s government has moved to calm growing public anxiety over Ebola, insisting no case has been reported in the country even as neighbouring outbreaks raise fears of a wider regional health emergency.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said authorities had heightened surveillance at border entry points, airports and major transport corridors amid concern that increased regional movement could expose Kenya to imported infections.
Speaking in an event in Kerugoya, Ms Muthoni said the country remained fully prepared despite mounting fears sparked by outbreaks elsewhere in East and Central Africa.
“We have not reported any Ebola case in Kenya,” she said. “But the government remains on high alert and all necessary measures have been put in place to protect Kenyans.”
Her remarks come as several African countries continue battling sporadic Ebola outbreaks that have periodically triggered panic across borders, disrupted trade and strained already fragile health systems. Previous outbreaks in countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo exposed how quickly fear can spread across the region even before confirmed infections emerge elsewhere.
In 2022, Uganda’s Ebola outbreak prompted neighbouring countries to activate emergency response systems amid fears of cross-border transmission through trade routes and passenger movement. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has also endured repeated Ebola outbreaks over the years, with health experts warning that porous borders in the region make complete containment difficult.
Kenya’s strategic position as a regional transport and commercial hub places it under particular scrutiny during such outbreaks. Thousands of people cross its borders daily through road networks, airports and informal transit points linking East and Central Africa.
That reality explains the government’s aggressive response despite the absence of confirmed infections.
“Our health workers have been trained on how to handle any suspected Ebola case and response teams are ready to act immediately if any case is detected,” Ms Muthoni said.
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The Ministry of Health says screening systems have already been reinforced while coordination between immigration officers, security agencies and county governments has been intensified to prevent any potential outbreak from slipping through undetected.
“The Ministry of Health is collaborating with other ministries and security agencies to strengthen surveillance and screening at our borders,” she said.
The fear surrounding Ebola often extends beyond the disease itself. Outbreaks have historically triggered wider economic and social consequences, including travel restrictions, declining business activity and public panic. During previous regional outbreaks, even countries without confirmed cases experienced reduced tourism and heightened public fear as misinformation spread rapidly online.
That spiral effect is one reason Kenyan authorities appear determined to project calm while simultaneously demonstrating preparedness.
“We urge Kenyans to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information,” Ms Muthoni said. “The public should rely on official communication from government health agencies.”
The government has also intensified public awareness campaigns focused on hygiene and early reporting of suspected infections. Officials say lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic have strengthened the country’s emergency coordination systems and improved its ability to respond rapidly to infectious disease threats.
“Good hygiene and clean environments are key in preventing the spread of diseases,” Ms Muthoni said.
“Every Kenyan has a responsibility to help keep our communities safe.”
Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest viral diseases, with outbreaks capable of overwhelming healthcare systems if not contained quickly. Although Kenya has previously succeeded in preventing major Ebola outbreaks within its borders, regional health scares have repeatedly demonstrated how vulnerable interconnected countries remain in the face of fast-moving epidemics.
For Kenyan authorities, the message is now twofold. Reassure the public. But prepare for the worst.
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