NAIROBI, Kenya- The United States has committed $14.5 million (about Sh1.9 billion) to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), reinforcing efforts to prevent, detect and respond to potential outbreaks.
In a statement released on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi said the funding will support the Government of Kenya, county governments and public health partners in enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory systems, healthcare worker training, emergency response coordination, risk communication and screening at points of entry.
The embassy noted that Kenya’s position as a regional hub for transport, trade and travel makes it a critical player in preventing the cross-border spread of infectious diseases across East and Central Africa.
The support builds on more than six decades of health cooperation between Kenya and the United States and is aimed at strengthening resilient public health systems while improving the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.
According to the U.S. Embassy, preparedness activities are currently targeting 22 high-risk counties identified by the Kenyan government.
More than 800 laboratory professionals have already been trained in biosafety, biosecurity and testing procedures for viral haemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola.
The programme is also supporting two Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratories, working alongside the National Virology Reference Laboratory, to test suspected Ebola samples.
To improve testing capacity, two mobile laboratories have been deployed to high-risk areas to reduce the turnaround time for Ebola test results.
The initiative has also strengthened Kenya’s disease surveillance workforce, with more than 1,700 graduates of the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme prepared to support outbreak investigations and response efforts.
In addition, 120 national responders have been trained under a National Rapid Response Team Training of Trainers programme, while more than 160 county-level responders have received specialised training in high-risk border counties.
Emergency preparedness has also been enhanced through the activation of 27 national and county Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), with plans underway to establish an additional 12 centres in other high-risk counties.
The U.S. said its support focuses on three key areas: detecting disease outbreaks through surveillance and laboratory testing, preparing health facilities and frontline workers, and strengthening emergency response through rapid response teams, Ebola treatment units and isolation centres where necessary.
The embassy said investments in preparedness are essential because infectious disease outbreaks can spread rapidly across borders, threatening public health, economies and regional stability.
It added that the partnership aims to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Ebola while building a more resilient health system capable of addressing future public health emergencies.