President William Ruto/FILEPresident William Ruto has ordered an enhanced government response after Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola Virus Disease, with the patient dying while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
Ruto directed the National Security Council Committee to convene, assess the situation and recommend measures to safeguard the country, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement on Tuesday.
The directive came after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed Kenya's first imported Ebola case on Tuesday, saying the patient had died at Nairobi Hospital on Monday night.
Following the National Security Council Committee meeting, the government intensified surveillance, contact tracing and other public health measures to prevent further transmission.
"Contact tracing is ongoing. Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily symptom monitoring," State House spokesperson said in a statement.
Twenty-one healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored.
Authorities have also extended contact tracing to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased into the country.
"So far, 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, and the appropriate public health measures are being undertaken," State House spokesperson said in a statement.
The deceased has been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
The government said surveillance and rapid response teams were on the ground, building on preparedness and surveillance systems maintained since the Ebola outbreak began in May.
"As of 6 October 2026, Kenya has screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories," State House spokesperson said in a statement.
Of the 267 samples tested, only one had returned positive, that of the deceased patient. No additional positive cases had been detected as of Tuesday.
A total of 4,971 healthcare workers have been trained at national and sub-national levels in Ebola prevention, detection and management.
The government has designated several facilities to manage Ebola Virus Disease, including Kenyatta National Hospital, with eight beds; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, with 50 beds; National Police Hospital, with 49 beds; and The Nairobi Hospital, with 143 beds.
State House said the capacity would be expanded, with additional facilities designated as the situation evolves.
"Kenya is prepared to deal with this public health emergency," State House spokesperson said in a statement.
The government urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant, observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Anyone experiencing the symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case, has been advised to avoid close contact with others and immediately seek guidance and care from a recognised health facility.
The Ministry of Health will issue further guidelines on safeguards and preventive measures as the government continues to monitor the situation.
