Health CS Aden Duale receives the medical supplies from the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya on July 22, 2026./HANDOUT
Kenya has received the first tranche of 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies from the government of India to strengthen the country's preparedness and response against a potential Ebola public health emergency.
The consignment was officially handed over by the Indian High Commissioner to Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, during a ceremony held on Wednesday.
The medical supplies from India
The donation forms part of India's broader support to African countries in enhancing their capacity to prevent and respond to Ebola outbreaks.
The medical supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, sample transportation kits, infrared thermometers, face shields, heavy-duty protective boots, and other infection prevention and control materials.
The medical supplies from India
A second consignment of medical assistance is expected to arrive in Kenya within the next few days.
Speaking during the handover, officials underscored the importance of international cooperation in strengthening health systems and improving emergency preparedness against infectious disease threats.
The support comes as Kenya continues to reinforce surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response measures to guard against the risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases.
In early June, CS Duale said Kenya had activated a nationwide Ebola preparedness plan covering surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, border screening and emergency response coordination as the government seeks to prevent and contain any potential outbreak.
Duale told Parliament on June 3 that the Ministry of Health has strengthened all key response pillars amid heightened concern over the disease in the region and the movement of Kenyans between neighbouring countries.
"Mr Speaker, the Ministry has activated preparedness measures across all key response pillars. These include coordination, surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, logistics, human resources and regional collaboration," Duale said.
At the centre of the response is the activation of the National Incident Management System, which is coordinating preparedness efforts between the national government, counties and development partners.
"In coordination, the Ministry has activated the National Incident Management System and convenes regular coordination meetings with counties, national agencies and partners," he said.
"A national Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan has been developed, and a 4-W matrix is being used to track who is doing what, where and when, to improve accountability and reduce duplication."
The CS said surveillance systems have also been strengthened across the country to improve early detection of suspected cases.
"In surveillance, health facility and community-based surveillance have been intensified. Ebola case definitions have been distributed to counties, and Rapid Response Teams remain on 24-hour standby," he said.
He added that counties have been directed to identify and operationalise isolation facilities, holding areas and quarantine centres to ensure they can respond quickly if a suspected case is reported.
The government has maintained that no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Kenya, but says preparedness measures are being strengthened to ensure rapid detection, isolation and response should the disease cross the country's borders.
