The Ministry of Health has responded to reports that the United States is planning to establish a quarantine facility in Kenya to manage American citizens exposed to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), amid rising concern over a regional outbreak in Central and East Africa.
The proposal, which is still subject to approval by the Kenyan government, is said to involve a US-run isolation centre staffed by American public health officers.
In a statement dated May 17th, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale said that the Kenya welcomes cooperation with international partners to strengthen global health security but emphasized that all arrangements must be guided by national legislation and established public health frameworks.
“Kenya values its longstanding partnership with the United States and other global partners in strengthening health systems and health security capacities. These partnerships have contributed significantly to investments in surveillance systems, workforce training, emergency preparedness and health infrastructure that benefit not only Kenya, but also the broader region,” read the statement.
The development comes as Ebola cases linked to a rare strain continue to be reported in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with spillover risk into neighboring countries, including Uganda.
Kenya Reaffirms Legal and Health Oversight
In response to the reports, Kenya’s Ministry of Health stated that while the country remains open to international cooperation to strengthen global health security, any such arrangement must strictly adhere to Kenyan law and established public health regulations.
Also Read: Trump to Set Up Ebola Quarantine Camp in Kenya for Infected Americans
The ministry underscored that Kenya has invested heavily in surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, emergency preparedness structures, and border health screening over the years. These systems, it noted, are currently active and have been strengthened in response to the ongoing Ebola threat in the region.
“Kenya’s role in regional and global health security has been built over many years through deliberate investments in health systems strengthening, public health surveillance, workforce development and emergency preparedness. Our health professionals have supported responses to major disease outbreaks across the region including the West Africa EVD outbreak in 2014-2016. Our institutions have continued to play an important role in advancing disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency response and public health coordination, read the statement in part.
US Proposal for Kenya-Based Ebola Isolation Facility
According to reports, the Trump administration is moving to set up a Kenya-based quarantine facility intended to handle US citizens who may have been exposed to Ebola while in outbreak zones.
The facility would function as an offshore medical isolation center, allowing infected or exposed individuals to be managed closer to the source of the outbreak rather than being flown back to hospitals in the United States.
Sources familiar with the plan indicate that members of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps have already been notified to prepare for possible deployment.
The facility in Kenya would reportedly operate under US public health oversight, though its location and operations would remain contingent on diplomatic clearance and host-country approval.
Also Read: Kenya on High Alert as Suspected Ebola Case Turns Negative
Heightened Surveillance Amid Regional Ebola Threats
Kenya’s response comes at a time when regional health authorities are on heightened alert due to the spread of Ebola in parts of Central Africa.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that national preparedness systems have been activated, including the Incident Management System and enhanced coordination across national and county levels.
According to the ministry, screening at points of entry has been intensified, with over 55,000 travellers already screened for Ebola symptoms and exposure risks.
Designated laboratories have also been placed on standby to test suspected cases, with ten individuals tested so far returning negative results.
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