Kenya has raised its Ebola preparedness score to 66 per cent as the government intensifies efforts to prevent the spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (BEVD) from the ongoing regional outbreak.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, in a statement by the Ministry of Health on Thursday, July 2, 2026, said the preparedness level reflects significant progress in strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to a potential Ebola outbreak.

Duale said preparedness remains Kenya’s strongest defence against emerging public health threats but warned that critical gaps still need to be addressed to achieve full operational readiness.

“Kenya’s Ebola preparedness score has reached 66 per cent, reflecting encouraging progress while underscoring the need for continued investment to achieve full operational readiness,” Duale stated.

Duale meeting with US officials

Duale said this during a high-level consultative meeting with representatives of the United States Government, implementing partners and other key stakeholders to review Kenya’s Ebola preparedness status, strengthen coordination and align support towards enhancing the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to a potential outbreak.

The meeting reviewed the country’s Ebola preparedness status, assessed progress made and identified priority areas requiring urgent intervention.

It also sought to harmonise support from partners and align all preparedness activities under a common national framework.

According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya has strengthened its health security systems through enhanced disease surveillance, screening at points of entry, expanded laboratory capacity, improved emergency coordination mechanisms and a better-equipped frontline health workforce under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

To further boost readiness, the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), through its Incident Management System, has identified 25 high-risk counties that will receive intensified preparedness activities, technical assistance and additional resources.

“To further strengthen national readiness, the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), through its Incident Management System, has identified 25 high-risk counties for intensified preparedness activities, technical assistance and resource allocation,” the statement read.

Equipping isolation facilities

He called on development partners to accelerate support towards establishing and equipping isolation facilities, procuring adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), strengthening laboratory and disease surveillance systems and deploying trained healthcare personnel to high-risk points of entry and health facilities.

“The consultative forum has provided an opportunity to harmonise partner support, eliminate duplication of efforts and prioritise interventions that will further strengthen Kenya’s health security architecture,” Duale said.