Kenya Strengthens Border Health Checks Amid Regional Outbreaks

Kenya is ramping up disease surveillance at its borders as health authorities respond to multiple viral threats from neighboring countries. The Ministry of Health has intensified screening for travelers at major points of entry, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), especially focusing on passengers arriving from Uganda and Tanzania. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that Terminal 1A, Gate 16, has been designated as the main entry point for those routes, allowing for more focused health checks.The move comes as Kenya faces increased risk from Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola. To counter these threats, the government has activated rapid response teams, strengthened its Emergency Operations Centres, and deployed trained personnel to points of entry for real‑time detection and response. Screening has also been extended inland, with border communities in Turkana County bolstering surveillance through a One Health approach. Local teams of community health promoters and disease reporters monitor for zoonotic illnesses, reporting early signs of outbreaks.
To formalize cross-border cooperation, Kenya and Uganda recently conducted a joint Strategic Risk Assessment at the Busia One‑Stop Border Post. This collaboration aligns with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and aims to improve regional readiness for public health emergencies. The Government has also invested in risk communication and community outreach to ensure travelers and local residents are aware of the symptoms and prevention measures should a disease outbreak cross into Kenya.
Looking ahead, health leaders say these enhanced checks and community programmes are central to Kenya’s strategy for preventing disease importation. The Ministry of Health plans to deepen multi-agency coordination, expand lab capacity at border entry points, and build stronger community surveillance networks — all in a bid to safeguard the country against regional epidemics while strengthening public health resilience.