Kenya is preparing a financial response to Ebola after confirming its first imported case, with the government working to mobilise over Ksh 70 billion for surveillance, treatment and containment.
The National Treasury has set aside Ksh 2.6 billion as an emergency fund to support the Ministry of Health’s response. The larger package is expected to rely on international partners as the government strengthens measures to prevent further transmission.
Treasury expects Ksh 21 billion in assistance from the United States, while another Ksh 51.8 billion could be made available through the World Bank’s Rapid Response Option. If secured, the financing would push the total resources available for preparedness and response beyond Ksh70 billion.
The money is expected to support disease surveillance, early detection, contact tracing, training of health workers and community health teams, protective equipment and medical supplies needed to manage cases.
The funding plan comes a day after Kenya confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo virus disease. The patient, a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, travelled by road to Kampala before flying to Nairobi on October 3. He was isolated after arriving in the capital but died on October 5.
The World Health Organisation said Kenya had screened more than 652,000 travellers since it began strengthening preparedness measures and had tested 267 suspected samples by October 6. About 5,000 health workers have also received training on Ebola prevention and management.
Health authorities are tracing people who may have been exposed to the patient, including family members, healthcare workers and passengers who travelled on the same flight. Contacts are being monitored for 21 days, the incubation period used for follow-up.
Part of the US support is linked to a bio-isolation facility at Laikipia Air Base. The proposed 50-bed facility has faced legal challenges and public concerns over its use, after reports that it could accommodate Americans exposed to Ebola.
Seven US disaster response workers who had reportedly been placed at the facility have since completed a 21-day quarantine and were discharged.
WHO has said Kenya is focused on preventing further transmission through screening at high-risk entry points, rapid identification of cases and community engagement. The agency is also supporting Kenya with technical assistance as authorities respond.
The government’s funding plan comes as the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC continues to put neighbouring countries on alert, increasing pressure on Kenya to maintain border surveillance and rapid response capacity.
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