Kenya Needs Ksh.2.6 Billion to Prepare for First 100 Ebola Cases – CS Duale

Kenya will need about Ksh.2.6 billion to fully prepare for the first 100 possible Ebola cases if the disease is detected in the country, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said.

While speaking before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Duale explained that the funds will help strengthen the country’s emergency health systems. The money will be used for border screening, disease surveillance, laboratory services, data management, and risk communication.

Part of the budget will also support hiring extra health workers during emergencies, emergency logistics, infection control, research activities, and protection of frontline workers.

According to the Ministry of Health, the funding needs were identified after a national readiness assessment that checked Kenya’s preparedness levels and gaps in handling Ebola.

The assessment showed that Kenya is strong in some areas such as contact tracing (100%), rapid response teams (90%), and laboratory readiness (87%).

However, several weak areas were also identified. These include disease prevention and control (56%), logistics and operations (50%), case management (36%), and preparedness at border points (60%).

Duale said these gaps do not mean the country is unprepared, but rather help the government understand where to improve before any outbreak happens.

He noted that urgent needs include Ebola-specific protective gear, testing kits, isolation and quarantine facilities, emergency transport systems, and stronger rapid response teams.

The funds will also support digital screening systems at airports and borders, contact tracing at community level, and emergency coordination teams.

“I therefore ask Parliament to support timely funding for emergency preparedness. In public health emergencies, delays in funding mean higher risks to citizens,” Duale said.

His statement comes after public debate over the government’s plan to build a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, which is partly funded by US support.

The project has faced criticism and legal challenges, with a court temporarily stopping it following protests from local residents.

Click to Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Click to Join Our WhatsApp Channel.