Kenya National Public Health Institute

12/06/2026

𝐊𝐍𝐏𝐇𝐈 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐬

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), through its Social Intelligence and Community Protection Division, has affirmed its commitment to promote community participation in Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes aimed at enhancing preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Speaking on Friday during the closing ceremony of EVD Rapid Response Team Training of Trainers (ToT) in Nairobi County, the acting Division Head Sophia Micheal noted that communities play a critical role in disease surveillance, early detection and reporting of suspected cases, adoption of infection prevention measures, and dissemination of accurate information.

She lauded STRIDES which is the U.S. government-funded global health security initiative for supporting a week-long activity that brought together a multidisciplinary team of participants, including epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory personnel, logisticians, and risk communication specialists drawn from national and county health institutions

Recognizing communities as the first line of defense against public health threats, KNPHI is encouraging active involvement of community leaders, health volunteers, and other grassroots stakeholders in capacity-building initiatives designed to improve awareness, early detection, reporting, and prevention of EVD.

The ongoing initiatives involving training of health care workers in various counties aim to equip participants with accurate information on Ebola transmission, prevention measures, risk communication, and community engagement strategies, enabling them to cascade knowledge to wider populations.

Through these efforts, KNPHI seeks to strengthen community resilience, foster public trust, and enhance the country's readiness to respond effectively to potential Ebola outbreaks.The initiative underscores the critical role of informed and empowered communities in safeguarding public health and supporting Kenya's broader epidemic preparedness and response agenda.

12/06/2026

Snippets of Media Breakfast Briefing and Science Café on Ebola Preparedness and Response in Nairobi.

12/06/2026

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐟é 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, today presided over a Media Breakfast Briefing and Science Café on Ebola Preparedness and Response in Nairobi, bringing together journalists, public health experts, policymakers, development partners, academia, county governments and civil society organizations.

Held under the theme "Strengthening Media Capacity for Accurate and Responsible Reporting During Public Health Emergencies," the forum provided an important platform to enhance public awareness, promote evidence-based communication, and strengthen Kenya's preparedness and response mechanisms against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other public health threats.

The engagement forms a critical component of Kenya's broader preparedness strategy aimed at strengthening surveillance, risk communication, rapid response, and public awareness in the face of emerging health threats within the region.

Speaking during the event, Hon. Duale underscored the indispensable role of the media in shaping public understanding during health emergencies.

"Your partnership is critical in ensuring that citizens receive accurate, timely, and reliable information. We urge all media houses to verify information through official channels and continue supporting public education efforts through factual and evidence-based reporting," said the Cabinet Secretary.

He further called on journalists to actively combat misinformation and disinformation, noting that inaccurate reporting during periods of heightened public concern can lead to fear, confusion, stigma, and potentially loss of lives.

Addressing concerns regarding the establishment of preparedness facilities in various parts of the country, the Cabinet Secretary clarified:

"There have been misconceptions regarding the establishment of isolation facilities, particularly in Laikipia. Let me be clear: preparedness facilities are not evidence of an outbreak. They are precautionary measures designed to ensure that if a suspected or confirmed case arises, our health system can respond swiftly and effectively while protecting the public."

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Hon. Mary Muthoni, emphasized that public health emergencies test a nation's spirit, unity, and preparedness. She noted that the threat of Ebola on the African continent remains a present reality and that delayed response can have serious consequences.

The PS reaffirmed that Kenya remains highly vigilant and continues to strengthen preparedness measures to prevent and respond to potential outbreaks. She also highlighted the media's powerful role in public health communication, urging journalists to educate communities with accurate information while avoiding unnecessary panic.

The Director-General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, stressed the need for Kenya to remain alert and prepared given the ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the region. He highlighted the urgency with which the World Health Organization Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, responded to the outbreak, demonstrating the seriousness of the threat and the need for countries to maintain robust preparedness systems.

The forum facilitated direct engagement between scientists, public health experts, and media practitioners, promoting accurate dissemination of information on Ebola prevention, detection, and response measures. Through such interactions, journalists gain a deeper understanding of disease outbreaks, enabling them to report responsibly and effectively counter misinformation.

The Science Café component facilitated engaging discussions on Ebola Virus Disease, focusing on its epidemiology, transmission, prevention, and response, as well as Kenya’s public health architecture and ongoing preparedness efforts. Participants also benefited from practical demonstrations on the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).Besides,it provided an opportunity to showcase Kenya's investments in emergency preparedness, rapid response teams, border health screening, risk communication, and community engagement.

Among those present were Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) Acting Director General Dr. Kamene Kimenye; Co-Director of the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA), Dr. Loyce Ombajo; KNPHI Acting Director for Public Health Intelligence, Population Health, Preparedness and Response, Dr. Kanana Kimonye; and Acting Director for Corporate Services, Dr. Richard Muthoka, Dr Mercy Korir, CEO and Editor in Chief of Willow Health Media.

11/06/2026

Practical sessions on donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), where participants of the Ebola Virus Disease [EVD] Rapid Response Team Training of Trainers (ToT) in Nairobi underwent hands-on exercises designed to equip them [frontline health workers ] with critical skills for safely wearing and removing protective gear during outbreak response operations.

11/06/2026

10/06/2026

CS Aden Duale:On Ebola Virus Disease, I wish to assure the country that, as of today, Kenya has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola. We have tested more than 69 suspected cases, and all have returned negative results. Additionally, the country has established 23 quarantine centres as part of our preparedness and response measures to safeguard public health.

10/06/2026

𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐕𝐃 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢

Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale today officially opened the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Nairobi, a four-day exercise running from 9th to 12th June 2026 aimed at strengthening Kenya's preparedness and response capacity for Ebola Virus Disease and other public health emergencies.

The training is being implemented by the Ministry of Health through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) as part of ongoing efforts to enhance national readiness amid continued regional Ebola outbreaks and the persistent risk of disease importation into Kenya.

Addressing participants during the opening ceremony, Hon. Duale described the training as a strategic investment in Kenya's national surge capacity, noting that the participants will play a critical role in cascading knowledge and skills to county and sub-county response teams across the country.

He further called upon Kenyan healthcare workers and medical professionals who were deployed during the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak to share their frontline experiences in order to enrich the training with practical lessons that can strengthen sub-national preparedness, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and patient care.

"In response to this evolving risk, the Ministry has prioritized comprehensive preparedness as a critical, non-negotiable pillar of national health security. Preparedness is not merely about having plans on paper; it is about ensuring that we have skilled personnel, functional systems, and coordinated response mechanisms that can be activated immediately when a public health threat arises," he remarked.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni reaffirmed the Government's commitment to maintaining a robust and coordinated response mechanism capable of addressing any potential Ebola outbreak in the country.

A key component of the training involved practical sessions on donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), where participants underwent hands-on exercises designed to equip frontline health workers with critical skills for safely wearing and removing protective gear during outbreak response operations.

The training has brought together a multidisciplinary team of participants, including epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory personnel, logisticians, and risk communication specialists drawn from national and county health institutions.

By the end of the week, a total of 256 healthcare workers will have been trained physically, while more than 2,100 health workers will have received virtual training across the country, significantly boosting Kenya's outbreak response capacity.

The event brought together representatives from Nairobi County, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Kenyatta National Hospital, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.Partner organizations in attendance included the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC Kenya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and AMREF Health Africa.

Also present were Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) Dr. Kamene Kimenye, National Chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Peterson Wachira, and STRIDES Project Lead Mungai Ndung'u.

The training has received both financial and technical support from the U.S. Department of State through the STRIDES (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems) Project, which seeks to strengthen infectious disease surveillance, enhance laboratory networks, and improve emergency response capacities to effectively detect and contain disease outbreaks.

10/06/2026

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) Acting Director General, Dr. Kamene Kimenye, joined Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale in high-level consultations with Africa CDC Deputy Director General Dr. Raji Tajudeen in a meeting aimed at strengthening regional health security, epidemic preparedness, and Africa's capacity to respond to public health emergencies.

The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, public health workforce development, and local manufacturing of health products and technologies. The Cabinet Secretary commended Africa CDC, under the leadership of Dr. Jean Kaseya, for its pivotal role in supporting African countries to build resilient public health systems and coordinate responses to health emergencies across the continent.

The engagement comes at a critical time as Kenya heightens preparedness measures following Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. KNPHI remains at the forefront of these efforts, coordinating surveillance, workforce training, risk assessment, and emergency response readiness to safeguard the country's health security.

As Kenya's lead institution for public health preparedness and response, KNPHI continues to play an integral role in advancing national, regional, and global health security through strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions.

Africa CDC

09/06/2026

𝐄𝐕𝐃 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐓𝐨𝐓) 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), is conducting a four-day Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Rapid Response Team Training of Trainers (ToT) in Nairobi County to enhance the country's surge capacity for public health emergency response.

The training seeks to strengthen national preparedness and response capabilities against EVD and other public health threats amid ongoing regional outbreaks and the continued risk of cross-border disease importation.

The workshop is equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to support preparedness and response efforts, while facilitating the rollout of standardized Rapid Response Team training across counties and sub-national levels.

Key areas covered on the first day include an overview of Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), and surveillance at Points of Entry, among other critical preparedness and response components.

Nairobi has been identified by the Ministry of Health as a high-risk area for Ebola Virus Disease due to its dense population and status as a major international travel hub. However, Kenya remains free of any confirmed Ebola cases as of June 2026.

The heightened preparedness follows reported outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in neighboring countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

To mitigate the risk of importation and transmission, the Government has implemented a range of preparedness measures, including enhanced screening at points of entry, expanded testing capacity, establishment of isolation and quarantine facilities, and strengthened surveillance systems.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, observe proper hygiene practices, and promptly report any suspected symptoms or recent travel history to affected regions to the nearest health facility.

The activity has received both financial and technical support from the U.S. Department of State [DoS] through the STRIDES (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems) project whose primary implementation is geared towards halting infectious disease outbreaks, strengthen laboratory networks, and improve emergency response capacities.