Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed that the government is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States and other international partners on strengthening preparedness and response measures for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The statement follows reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering sending American citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for monitoring and possible treatment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Duale said Kenya was handling the matter within the framework of international health cooperation while prioritising national safety protocols.
“The Government of Kenya notes ongoing discussions with the U.S. government and other global partners regarding international collaboration on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease and other emerging public health threats,” Duale said.
He added that Kenya remains open to partnerships aimed at enhancing global health security through coordinated and science-based interventions.
The clarification came after a report by The New York Times indicated that the U.S. government is exploring plans to transfer Americans exposed to Ebola to Kenya as part of broader international containment and treatment arrangements.
According to the report, the proposed strategy would represent a departure from previous outbreaks, during which exposed Americans, including healthcare workers, were typically repatriated to specialised treatment facilities in the United States.
The report further stated that the U.S. government is considering establishing a facility in Kenya where American citizens could undergo quarantine or receive treatment. The initiative is said to involve collaboration between the U.S. State Department, Department of Defence, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
In addition, several Public Health Service officers are reportedly undergoing training for potential deployment to Kenya to provide medical care to Americans considered at high risk of developing Ebola.
The New York Times also reported that the initial proposal involved monitoring exposed individuals in Kenya before transferring symptomatic patients to Europe for treatment. However, the latest plan reportedly includes provisions for treatment within Kenya, including for U.S. government scientists and physicians.
Duale emphasised that any international health cooperation involving Kenya would be subject to strict adherence to national laws and public health safeguards.
“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 government to safeguard the health and welfare of the people of Kenya,” he stated.
He stressed that the protection of Kenyan citizens, frontline healthcare workers, and local communities remains the government’s top priority.
The Health CS noted that Kenya’s health system has gained regional and international recognition due to sustained investments in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, workforce development, and emergency preparedness.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya has already activated its national Incident Management System and intensified screening measures at all points of entry following the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
“To date, more than 55,000 travellers have been screened through various ports of entry, and ten suspected cases have been tested, all of which returned negative results,” Duale said.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to respond to emerging public health threats while balancing national interests with global health obligations.
“Kenya is ready. Kenya is capable. Kenya will continue to act responsibly in safeguarding both national and global health security,” the statement concluded.
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