The government has intensified Ebola surveillance and emergency preparedness measures at Eldoret International Airport amid growing regional health concerns over the deadly viral disease.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, in a statement shared via her official X account on Saturday, June 6, 2026, said the Ministry of Health had conducted an inspection visit at the airport to assess preparedness levels and strengthen public health surveillance systems at the country’s points of entry.

“We visited Eldoret International Airport to assess preparedness measures and strengthen public health surveillance amid regional Ebola concerns,” Muthoni stated.

The visit focused on evaluating passenger screening systems, emergency response readiness, infection prevention protocols, and coordination between health officials and airport authorities.

According to the PS, the government is keen on enhancing vigilance to ensure any potential health threats are detected and contained early.

“The visit reviewed passenger screening, emergency response readiness, infection prevention measures, and coordination among health and airport authorities,” she stated.

Heightened surveillance

The Ministry of Health said the heightened surveillance forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen preparedness against cross-border disease transmission, particularly through airports and other key entry points.

Muthoni emphasised that the ministry remains committed to safeguarding public health through enhanced monitoring and rapid response systems.

“The Ministry is keen on heightened vigilance, strengthening surveillance and preparedness at all points of entry to safeguard public health,” she added.

The move comes amid renewed regional attention on Ebola preparedness following health alerts in parts of Africa, prompting several countries to reinforce border health controls and emergency response capacities.

Eldoret International Airport is considered a strategic entry point due to its growing regional and international connectivity, making disease surveillance critical in preventing potential outbreaks.

No Ebola cases reported in Kenya

This comes just hours after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that Kenya remains free of Ebola virus disease after all 56 suspected samples tested negative, easing public concern even as authorities maintain heightened surveillance due to regional outbreaks.

In a statement on Friday, June 5, 2026, Duale said the country has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola, despite increased monitoring following outbreaks in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), adding that the Ministry of Health (MoH) continues to strengthen preparedness systems to reduce the risk of importation.

“Kenya has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease. The country continues to maintain and strengthen preparedness measures in response to the ongoing outbreak in the region,” the statement read in part.

The CS also said surveillance had been intensified at all major points of entry, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings, as part of efforts to detect and isolate any potential cases early.