The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reassured the public that the Kenyan government is on high alert to prevent the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda from entering the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, during Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Sir Ali Muslim Club grounds in Nairobi, Duale emphasised proactive measures at border points and in high-risk areas.

“On matters of public health, I assured the nation that the government remains on high alert at all border points and in high-risk counties to prevent the potential infiltration of the Ebola outbreak into Kenya,” Duale said.

On his part, the Health CS urged residents, particularly those living along the border with Uganda, to take Ministry of Health advisories seriously and strictly follow all issued guidelines.

“I urge residents, especially those along the border with Uganda, to treat the cautionary advisories from the Ministry of Health with utmost seriousness and to adhere to all guidelines issued,” Duale added.

Ebola in Kenya

Kenya has so far reported no confirmed Ebola cases. The government has intensified surveillance in 22 high-risk counties and is working to counter misinformation.

Ebola outbreak

The comments come amid a regional outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026.

As of mid-May, the DRC had reported multiple confirmed cases and numerous suspected cases and deaths in Ituri Province, with linked cases in Uganda, including cross-border transmission.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the east of the country was at the centre of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict” with the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province outpacing the response.

Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is hampering the Ebola outbreak response.

In a statement posted on X, Tedros said the WHO “cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling”.

He is due to arrive in DR Congo on Wednesday to spearhead scaling up efforts to contain the virus. There have been 220 suspected deaths since the outbreak was declared.