Kenya will keep its borders open despite Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said, as the government intensifies surveillance and screening measures.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Duale dismissed suggestions for border closures, arguing that the country’s response is guided by global public health standards and guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He said authorities have already stepped up monitoring of incoming travellers, with enhanced screening, contact tracing and isolation measures where necessary to prevent possible spread of the virus.
“We are not going to close our borders; it is against World Health Organisation (WHO) rules. We’ll screen and do contact tracing instead. There are some Kenyans who came from Congo Brazzaville and we’ve quarantined them for seven days. To make sure the incubation period is over and every morning and evening they are checked,” Duale stated.
“We are a very transparent government. As the Minister for Health, I have a moral duty to ensure our citizens are safe and protected from misinformation,”he added.
Health authorities have pointed to WHO International Health Regulations, which discourage blanket border closures during outbreaks unless there is strong scientific justification.
Instead, countries are advised to focus on targeted measures such as screening, surveillance, testing, contact tracing and public awareness.
The WHO maintains that full border shutdowns are only recommended in rare cases where the health benefits clearly outweigh wider social and economic disruption.
Duale also defended Kenya’s cooperation with the United States in establishing Ebola preparedness facilities, insisting that the partnership does not undermine national sovereignty.
“We will not compromise the sovereignty and nationality of our country. We have no apology to make because we have partnered with the US in the health sector for over 23 years,” he said.
He further stated that all health-related agreements are legally grounded and have gone through the required approval channels.
“Everything we are doing is within the Public Health Act, the Constitution, and the Cooperation agreement adopted by Cabinet and passed by Parliament,” Duale stated.
“Everything we are doing is within the Public Health Act, the Constitution, and the Cooperation agreement adopted by Cabinet and passed by Parliament,” Duale stated.
The Health CS also defended ongoing investment in Ebola preparedness infrastructure, saying the country must strengthen its capacity to respond to outbreaks before they occur.
“Why are you fixated on Americans? What about Kenyans working in the DRC? We learned a lot from COVID. We must prepare before an incident happens by having Ebola facilities, treatment, and isolation centres, ” he said.
He added that Kenya’s long-standing collaboration with the US has helped strengthen the health sector over the years.
“We have a very long historical relationship within the health sector with the US. They have spent over 8 billion dollars in the health sector. The achievements today that we are proud of as a country are part of our partnership,” he remarked.
Duale reassured the public that no Ebola cases have been detected in the country, saying surveillance at entry points remains heightened as neighbouring nations continue containment efforts.
