Kenya has confirmed it is holding discussions with the United States to strengthen Ebola preparedness, even as reports emerge that Washington is planning to build a quarantine centre in the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has emphasised that any international cooperation on Ebola will strictly follow Kenyan laws and public health regulations. “Any international cooperation proposal will be guided by Kenyan laws and public health regulations,” the statement read in part.
The Ministry of Health statement comes after reports that the Trump administration is considering sending U.S. citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for monitoring and treatment, rather than repatriating them to America. This has raised concerns about Kenya potentially hosting a quarantine facility for exposed Americans.
The country has previously played a significant role in responding to major regional outbreaks, including the devastating West Africa Ebola outbreak of 2014–2016.
In a press statement released Wednesday May 27, 2026, the Ministry has reassured Kenyans that Kenya remains a strong and capable partner in global health security, while prioritising national interests, biosafety, and the protection of Kenyan citizens and health workers.
The Ministry has already set up four Ebola testing laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu and trained over 800 health workers as part of heightened preparedness measures.
According to the statement, more than 55,000 travellers have been screened at various ports of entry, with ten suspected cases tested all of which returned negative results.