Kenya Strengthens Ebola Preparedness at JKIA as PS Mary Muthoni Assesses Port Health Readiness
Nairobi ,2026 Kenya has strengthened preparedness measures against Ebola and other emerging public health threats at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s busiest port of entry, to enhance early detection, response capacity, and overall public health security.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, conducted an assessment visit to JKIA to review the effectiveness of Port Health Services and evaluate ongoing preparedness interventions.
The assessment covered key systems including passenger screening procedures, thermal scanners, isolation facilities, laboratory readiness, aircraft and wastewater surveillance, and emergency response coordination mechanisms. The Principal Secretary commended frontline health personnel for their continued commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of the public.
Although Kenya has no confirmed Ebola cases, she noted that preparedness continues to be reinforced through enhanced screening at points of entry, deployment of additional health officers, strengthened laboratory diagnostic capacity, faster specimen processing, improved surveillance across air, sea, and land borders, and sustained readiness of rapid response teams.
She further urged the public to remain vigilant, observe proper hand hygiene, seek medical attention when unwell, and rely on official Ministry of Health communication channels for accurate and timely information. She emphasized that preparedness, vigilance, and coordinated action remain Kenya’s strongest defence against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
The visit forms part of the Ministry of Health’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national preparedness and response systems, ensuring the country remains ready to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to public health emergencies while safeguarding the health and well-being of all Kenyans.