Kenya has established 23 Ebola isolation and treatment centers nationwide as part of its preparedness and response measures following confirmation of the country’s first imported Ebola case.
The Ministry of Health has identified several facilities for isolation, treatment, and surge capacity, including national referral hospitals and sites near border areas.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient is a Kenyan citizen who has lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years.
According to Duale, the patient fell ill about a month ago and received treatment at several hospitals while still in the DRC.
He later traveled from the DRC to Kampala by road before boarding a Jambojet flight to Nairobi.
“The Ministry of Health, Kenya, wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola, Bugyini virus disease. This patient is a Kenyan citizen who has been living in DRC for the past seven years. He fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals while still in DRC,” stated Duale.
National Ebola Treatment Centers
- Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi; Eight-bed isolation and treatment unit.
- Kenya National Police Hospital, Nairobi; 49 beds available for activation as surge isolation capacity.
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret; 20 isolation beds, with an additional 30 surge beds.
Other Designated Facilities
- Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Kiambu
- Utange, Mombasa
- Alupe Hospital, Busia County
- Emali, Makueni County
- Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County
Border and County Isolation Sites
At least 29 counties have identified isolation and treatment sites, with additional facilities positioned in areas considered important for border surveillance.
Also Read: Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case
- Garissa County Referral Hospital -20; bed unit for confirmed cases and a separate 10-bed unit for suspected cases.
- Alupe Sub-County Hospital, Busia; identified for renovation and operationalization as an Ebola treatment centre/unit.
- Trans Nzoia County: a designated site has been identified for assessment.
- Turkana County: a designated site has been identified for assessment.
Laikipia Ebola Facility
Kenya is also establishing an Ebola isolation, quarantine, and treatment facility in Laikipia County at a military installation.
The facility is being developed in partnership with the United States, with the Kenya Defense Forces expected to operate it.
Why Ruto Allowed the US to Have an Ebola Quarantine at Laikipia Air Base
Speaking on June 1 at a media roundtable at Wajir State Lodge, Ruto said the Laikipia Air Base facility is part of Kenya’s long-standing cooperation with the United States in the health and security sectors, noting that the collaboration reflects continued engagement between the two countries in addressing public health and disease control challenges.
Also Read: Duale Breaks Silence on Ebola-Exposed Americans Being Quarantined in Kenya
He said the approval followed a request from former US President Donald Trump and was guided by an existing partnership between Kenya and the US spanning several decades.
“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a center at Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have worked with Kenya for 30 or 40 years,” Ruto said.
In his address, the president stated that the United States has supported Kenya through multiple programs, including HIV/AIDS interventions, emergency disease response initiatives, and broader public health support.
He also referenced joint efforts during previous outbreaks, including Ebola preparedness, as well as collaborative research during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which Kenyan institutions participated in vaccine-related research.
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