U.S commits Ksh.1.75B to boost Kenya's Ebola preparedness as Ruto, Rubio hold talks

The United States government has committed $13.5 million (approximately Ksh.1.75 billion) to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts as Washington and Nairobi intensify coordination amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region and reports that Americans exposed to the virus could be monitored and treated in Kenya.

According to a statement attributed to U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with President William Ruto on the outbreak and ongoing public health response efforts.

"The United States Government intends to commit $13.5 million toward Kenya's Ebola preparedness efforts and has already committed to providing $112 million in bilateral assistance to the regional response," the statement said.

The two leaders also discussed efforts to secure critical medical supplies for Kenya and strengthen the country's capacity to respond to potential Ebola cases.

"The Secretary and President Ruto discussed coordinated efforts to secure vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensure the strength and preparedness of Kenya's health system," Pigott stated.

“The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination as the situation evolves and to continue leveraging the strong U.S.-Kenya health partnership that has proven essential in addressing public health challenges in Kenya and across East Africa.”

The announcement comes days after reports emerged that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was considering sending American citizens exposed to the Ebola virus to Kenya for monitoring and treatment, sparking public debate over the country's preparedness and role in global health security.

In response to the reports, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that Kenya was engaged inongoing discussions with the U.S. government and other international partners on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease and other emerging public health threats.

"The Government of Kenya notes ongoing discussions with US government and other global partners regarding international collaboration on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats," Duale said in a statement.

Duale, however, emphasized that any international health cooperation would be guided by Kenyan laws, biosafety standards and the government's obligation to protect its citizens.

"Protection of Kenyan citizens, frontline health workers and communities remains paramount," the Health CS said.

The Ministry of Health has maintained that Kenya remains well prepared to handle any potential Ebola threat.

According to the ministry, the country has activated its national Incident Management System, intensified screening at points of entry and strengthened surveillance and laboratory testing capacity.

More than 55,000 travellers have been screened at various entry points, while ten suspected Ebola cases tested in Kenya have all returned negative results.

The latest engagement between Ruto and Rubio signals growing U.S.-Kenya cooperation on health security, with both governments agreeing to maintain close coordination as the situation evolves.

"The United States' highest priority remains protecting the health and security of the American people by working to prevent the Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores," the U.S. State Department said.

Katiba Institute has since however filed an urgent petition at the Milimani High Court seeking to block the government from establishing or permitting any Ebola quarantine, isolation or treatment facility linked to the United States of America or any foreign government on Kenyan soil.

The institution has named the Attorney-General of Kenya and the Cabinet Secretary for Health as respondents, with KELIN Kenya listed as an interested party.

Katiba Institute is asking the court to certify the matter as urgent and issue conservatory orders halting any plans to establish, operationalise or approve Ebola-related quarantine or treatment centres in Kenya pending hearing and determination of the case.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Thursday also issued the government with a 48-hour ultimatum to make public ongoing negotiations between Kenya and the United States regarding the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base.

In a strongly worded statement, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah accused the government of engaging in “backdoor negotiations” and warned that the union would mobilise nationwide industrial action if the deal proceeds without public disclosure and reforms in the country’s healthcare system.

“KMPDU is calling out the hypocrisy of the ongoing backdoor negotiations between the Government of Kenya and the United States administration regarding the establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base,” stated Dr. Atellah.

“As the vanguard of Kenya’s healthcare system, we are utterly disgusted by the government's apparent willingness to trade national biosecurity and the lives of its citizens for foreign aid.”

Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has, in the meantime, defended Kenya's capacity to handle Ebola cases, insisting the country is well-equipped to manage infectious disease outbreaks and play its role in global health security.

Speaking amid reports of the possible arrangement involving the United States and the Kenyan government, Dr. Oluga said the State has put in place adequate measures to protect Kenyans from international health threats while maintaining its longstanding role in supporting global disease response efforts.

The PS noted that the country's healthcare system has significantly strengthened its infectious disease management capacity, particularly following investments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.