Kenya National Public Health Institute

14/08/2026

𝐊𝐍𝐏𝐇𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) is conducting an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Tabletop Simulation Exercise in Busia County to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.

The exercise brings together health and emergency response stakeholders from Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Siaya counties to assess their readiness to respond rapidly and effectively to an EVD case.

The simulation is testing the counties’ ability to implement a 72-hour response plan following confirmation of an EVD case, with emphasis on coordination, rapid decision-making, information sharing and timely deployment of critical response measures.

The exercise is supported by Africa CDC, WHO Kenya, WHO AFRO, the STRIDES Programme and the US CDC, reinforcing collaboration among national and county authorities and partners in strengthening Kenya’s capacity to detect, contain and respond to Ebola and other public health emergencies.

Partners and county governments remain critical pillars of Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response plan. Through coordinated action, they strengthen surveillance, rapid response teams, infection prevention and control, laboratory capacity, risk communication and community preparedness. Effective Ebola response requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with partners providing technical and resource support while counties lead implementation at the local level.

13/08/2026

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), with support from Catholic Relief Services through the Core Group Partners Project (CGPP), is conducting Rapid Response Team (RRT) training in Machakos County to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other public health emergencies.

The training brings together frontline health teams and equips them with practical skills to detect, investigate and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks and other emerging health threats.

Participants are being strengthened in key areas including disease surveillance, case investigation, coordination, infection prevention and control, risk communication and emergency response operations.

The training underscores KNPHI’s commitment to building a strong, coordinated and responsive public health emergency system capable of detecting threats early and taking timely action to protect communities across Kenya.

13/08/2026

𝐊𝐍𝐏𝐇𝐈, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), in partnership with health partners including the DoS-funded STRIDES Project, has engaged Laikipia County leadership, led by Governor Joshua Irungu, to strengthen preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other infectious disease threats.

The engagement focused on strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, emergency response systems, infection prevention, risk communication and community preparedness.

Key action points include:

● Establishing and equipping Infectious Diseases Units in Nanyuki, Nyahururu and Rumuruti.
● Strengthening laboratory capacity through modern equipment, appropriate infrastructure and continuous training of laboratory personnel.
● Establishing and strengthening Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to enhance coordination during public health emergencies.
● Equipping and training health workers, Health Promotion Officers and other relevant personnel across departments.
● Enhancing disease surveillance, risk assessment, early warning and emergency response systems.
● Strengthening risk communication and community engagement to ensure communities receive accurate information and take appropriate preventive measures.
● Improving emergency supply chains and ambulance response systems to facilitate the rapid movement of essential resources and patients.
● Strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene, recognising that disease prevention begins beyond health facilities and is closely linked to the conditions in which people live.
● Supporting school-based health and preventive health programmes in collaboration with UNICEF, with a focus on protecting children.

The partnership underscores KNPHI’s commitment to supporting counties in building resilient public health systems capable of preventing, detecting and responding rapidly to disease outbreaks.

Through strengthened collaboration, training and technical support, KNPHI and its partners continue to enhance county preparedness, protect communities and safeguard Kenya’s health security.

Other representatives present included officials from the Ministries of Health; Agriculture, Livestock and Development; AMREF; the Core Group Partners Project; and other stakeholders.

12/08/2026

https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM1776849670557UQEB785X1U

12/08/2026

The Homa Bay County Cluster, convened by the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) in partnership with FHI 360, has entered Day 3 of a comprehensive Rapid Response Team (RRT) training and Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) aimed at strengthening preparedness and response capacity for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through building practical skills and competencies for a coordinated, timely and effective outbreak response.

The five-day exercise brings together response teams to enhance their ability to prevent, detect, investigate and rapidly respond to suspected EVD cases, while ensuring continuity of essential health services during an outbreak.

Key sessions are focusing on infection prevention and control (IPC), including standard precautions and transmission-based precautions, equipping participants with practical knowledge to minimise the risk of infection and transmission within healthcare and community settings.

Participants are also undertaking practical sessions on hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and chlorine preparation, alongside training on safe and dignified burial practices—critical components of an effective EVD response.

The programme further addresses mental health and psychosocial support, recognising the emotional and psychological demands placed on frontline responders and affected communities during public health emergencies.

Through the SIMEX component, response teams are expected to translate the knowledge gained in the classroom into coordinated, real-world response actions, testing their readiness, communication, coordination and ability to work effectively during an EVD incident.

The Homa Bay Cluster RRT training, supported by the DoS-funded STRIDES programme, is part of KNPHI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness for public health emergencies by equipping frontline teams with the skills and practical competencies needed for a rapid, coordinated and effective outbreak response.

12/08/2026