The Ministry of Health has called on development partners, counties and other stakeholders to scale up support for Kenya’s Ebola response, citing the need for increased contact tracing, laboratory testing and quarantine capacity to contain the outbreak.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni urged partners to make concrete commitments and strengthen coordination to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Muthoni also emphasised the importance of transparency in reporting and timely sharing of information, saying coordinated efforts would be critical in managing the evolving public health situation.
Laboratory data presented during the meeting showed that eight out of 404 samples tested had returned positive results as of October 18, 2026, while 396 samples tested negative.
The data further indicated that 50 contacts had been tested, with five returning negative results, while results for 39 contacts were still pending. The figures presented did not specify the outcomes for the remaining six contacts.
The Ministry is prioritising enhanced surveillance, faster laboratory testing and expanded quarantine capacity as part of efforts to identify potential infections and interrupt chains of transmission.
The PS called on county governments to strengthen their preparedness measures, improve public communication and ensure accurate information is shared promptly to counter misinformation and reduce public anxiety.
Despite the reported positive results, Muthoni reassured Kenyans that there was no cause for alarm, urging the public to remain calm as the government and its partners intensified containment measures.
She further called on stakeholders to channel their assistance through established coordination structures to ensure resources are directed towards the most urgent needs of the response.
The Ministry’s appeal comes as Kenya continues to strengthen its Ebola preparedness and response efforts, with collaboration between national and county governments, health partners and other stakeholders expected to play a central role in containing the outbreak.
