Kenya’s fight against Ebola has received a shot in the arm after the United Nations allocated KSh259 million to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.
In a statement on October 27, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Kenya Humanitarian Fund, which it manages, had allocated more than $2 million to support government-led efforts to contain the disease.
“The Kenya Humanitarian Fund, managed by OCHA, has allocated more than $2 million to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response efforts,” the agency stated.
The funding will support enhanced surveillance at border crossings and training for rapid-response teams and frontline responders.
It will also strengthen preparedness along high-risk refugee and travel routes linked to the Kakuma refugee complex in north-western Kenya.
Other planned interventions include the provision of emergency health and infection prevention kits, alongside public information campaigns on Ebola prevention and early detection.
Kenya Reports Ebola Cases Linked to Initial Patient
The funding comes as Kenya continues to trace people who may have been exposed to the virus and strengthen measures to prevent further infections.
According to OCHA, nine confirmed Ebola cases, including two fatalities, had been reported as of October 20. All the cases were linked to an Ebola case reported earlier that month.
The agency said there was no evidence of community transmission at the time. However, contact tracing identified 134 additional people who may have been exposed, and they were placed under quarantine.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6. The patient was a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years before travelling through Uganda to Kenya.
The patient died on October 5 while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
In its initial announcement, the Ministry of Health said the man fell ill about a month earlier and received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC.
By October 23, the Ministry of Health reported nine confirmed cases, including one death, all linked to the initial patient. The ministry also reported no evidence of community transmission.
Africa CDC Announces Additional Support
Kenya has also received support commitments from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to strengthen its response to the outbreak.
The organisation announced $1.5 million in financial, technical, and operational support after a meeting in Nairobi on October 27 between its Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
The support package includes the deployment of 10 African public health experts, laboratory reagents and diagnostic test kits, as well as assistance with surveillance, contact tracing, case management and community engagement.
Africa CDC also announced equipment valued at approximately $350,000 to strengthen Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and improve its capacity to coordinate public health emergencies.
In a joint statement, the two officials said the support would reinforce national response efforts, including surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and patient management.
“In solidarity with Kenya, Africa CDC has mobilised approximately US$1.5 million in financial, technical and operational support to reinforce national response efforts,” the joint statement read.
The organisation said the additional equipment would strengthen the country’s capacity to coordinate public health emergencies.
China Allocates KSh259 Million for Ebola Preparedness and Drought Relief
China has also extended a $2 million (KSh259 million) cash grant to Kenya to support Ebola preparedness and drought response efforts.
The grant comprises $1 million to strengthen Ebola preparedness infrastructure in counties classified as high- and very high-risk, and another $1 million for drought relief.
The funds were handed over at the National Treasury during a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo and Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
Ambassador Guo said the assistance reflected China’s commitment to development cooperation with Kenya under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
Kiptoo welcomed the grant and commended China for responding promptly to Kenya’s request for assistance.
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