The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has detailed ongoing discussions with US government regarding international collaboration on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease.

In a press release on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Duale affirmed Kenya’s partnership with the United States amid reports of US plan to quarantine exposed Citizens in Kenya.

“The Government of Kenya notes ongoing discussions with US government and other global partners regarding international collaboration on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats,” Duale stated.

According to Duale, Kenya’s role in regional and global health security has been built over many years through deliberate investments in health systems strengthening, public health surveillance, workforce development and emergency preparedness.

Hence, based on the track record, health professionals have supported responses to major disease outbreaks across the region, including the West Africa EVD outbreak in 2014-2016.

“Our institutions have continued to play an important role in advancing disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency response and public health coordination,” Duale stated.

Ebola readiness in Kenya

The Health CS has stated that Kenya continues to maintain and strengthen preparedness measures in response to the ongoing EVD outbreak in the region.

Further adding that the Country has activated its national Incident Management System, intensified surveillance at Points of Entry, designated laboratories for testing and strengthened coordination mechanisms at national and county levels.

According to Duale, more than 55,000 travellers have been screened for the disease through various ports of entry, and have tested a total of ten cases, which have he says, have turned out negative.

Kenya-US health partnership

Duale’s remarks come moments after the recent reports regarding U.S. citizens exposed to the Ebola virus being moved to Kenya for quarantine.

On his part, Duale has noted that any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations.

“Any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and the overriding responsibility of the Government to safeguard the health and welfare of the people of Kenya,” Duale stated.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health has firmly stated that the protection of Kenyan citizens, frontline health workers and communities remains paramount.

“Kenya values its longstanding partnership with the United States and other global partners in strengthening health systems and health security capacities,” Duale said.

On his part, these partnerships have contributed significantly to investments in surveillance systems, workforce training, emergency preparedness and health infrastructure that benefit not only Kenya, but also the broader region.

US quarantine plan

According to a publication by The New York Times published on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the Trump administration is planning to send U.S. citizens exposed to the Ebola virus to Kenya for monitoring and treatment, rather than bringing them back home.

The news outlet cited sources with knowledge of the plans, saying the approach would mark a shift from previous outbreaks in which exposed Americans, including health workers, were repatriated to be monitored or treated in specialised medical units in the United States.

The report said the administration earlier this month flew an American doctor who developed symptoms to Germany and transported six other Americans to Germany and the Czech Republic for monitoring.