{"id":802541,"date":"2026-05-28T16:03:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T13:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/?p=802541"},"modified":"2026-05-28T16:04:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T13:04:03","slug":"kenya-ebola-response-oluga-duale-us-exposed-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/2026\/05\/kenya-ebola-response-oluga-duale-us-exposed-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya to \u2018show up\u2019 in Ebola response, says PS Oluga amid US deal concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 \u2013 Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga has defended Kenya\u2019s readiness to participate in global Ebola response efforts, saying the country will not retreat from its international health obligations even as public concern grows over reports that exposed foreign nationals could be handled in Kenya.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in a pre-recorded video released on Thursday, Oluga cited Kenya’s public health track record saying the country\u2019s foremost duty remains protecting its citizens, but stressed that this responsibility does not conflict with contributing to global health security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Kenyan government continues to protect Kenyans, but as we continue to protect Kenyans, we cannot abdicate our obligation and our duty in global health security,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is what we have been known for for decades. This is our expertise, so this is the time to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oluga likened Kenya\u2019s role in outbreak response to participation in global events where expertise is expected on an international stage, arguing that infectious diseases require cross-border collaboration rather than isolationist approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is like a marathon has been called in London. Do you say that you’re not going to send Kenyans there?\u201d he posed. \u201cOutbreaks do not care about borders. They do not care about opinions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Trusted partner’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

He added that Kenya\u2019s experience in managing previous outbreaks positions it as a trusted regional partner in health emergencies, pointing to past deployments of Kenyan experts abroad during disease outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very confident as a country and as a government that number one responsibility is to protect the Kenyan, but as we protect the Kenyan, we can also extend this expertise,\u201d Oluga said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are ready to protect Kenyans, but we are also ready to assist the world tackle these global challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His remarks come amid heightened public debate following reports that the United States could send Ebola-exposed individuals to Kenya for observation or treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reports have triggered anxiety online, with many Kenyans questioning whether the country has sufficient containment capacity to safely manage such cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ: LSK Opposes US Proposal to Set Up Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenya<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In response, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has emphasized that any such arrangement must fully comply with Kenyan law and established public health procedures, including approvals from multiple state agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duale reiterated that Kenya\u2019s sovereignty and health safeguards cannot be bypassed under any international agreement, noting that the country already has strict protocols for managing infectious diseases such as Ebola. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include screening, quarantine systems, surveillance, and emergency response mechanisms designed to prevent outbreaks and ensure containment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Ministry of Health, any foreign nationals entering the country under health-related arrangements would be subject to legal and regulatory scrutiny involving health, immigration, and national security authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public concern has been fueled by the severity of Ebola, a highly infectious and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Kenya has strengthened its surveillance systems at ports of entry and improved outbreak preparedness in recent years, fears persist over the risks associated with handling exposed individuals from abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kenya rules out blanket Ebola quarantines as MoH rolls out risk-based screening<\/a><\/blockquote>