Kenya has intensified efforts to strengthen its preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through a nationwide training programme aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to potential outbreaks.
The four-day Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers workshop, launched in Nairobi, brings together multidisciplinary experts from national and county governments, health institutions and partner organisations to bolster coordination and readiness for Ebola and other public health emergencies.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said preparedness remains a critical component of Kenya’s national health security strategy, particularly given the country’s position as a major regional transport, trade and travel hub.
“Preparedness remains a critical pillar of national health security,” Duale said, noting that Kenya continues to face the risk of disease importation due to increasing regional and international movement of people and goods.
The Cabinet Secretary commended members of the Rapid Response Team, including health experts who were deployed to support Ebola response efforts in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
He praised their contribution to global health security and urged participants to share lessons learned from the frontline.
Duale said the experiences gained during previous Ebola outbreaks would play a vital role in strengthening Kenya’s outbreak preparedness systems, infection prevention and control measures, and emergency response capabilities.
The training, he noted, represents a strategic investment in the country’s surge capacity and is designed to facilitate the transfer of critical skills and knowledge to county and sub-county health teams.
“This training is a strategic investment in Kenya’s preparedness capacity and will help strengthen readiness at all levels of the health system,” he said.
The Health CS warned that recurring disease outbreaks in the region, including the ongoing Ebola situation, underscore the importance of sustained vigilance, robust surveillance systems and coordinated preparedness efforts.
He emphasised that Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures remain central to effective outbreak management and called on healthcare workers to consistently observe standard precautions while delivering care.
“Healthcare workers must protect themselves as they protect patients. Strong infection prevention and control systems are essential in preventing transmission within health facilities,” Duale said.
The Cabinet Secretary also welcomed a recent assessment by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which rated Kenya highly in pandemic preparedness and response.
He attributed the recognition to sustained investments in health security systems and coordinated preparedness initiatives undertaken by the government and its partners.
Duale lauded Kenya’s health workforce for its role in advancing quality healthcare services and supporting the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda, describing healthcare workers as the backbone of emergency preparedness and response efforts.
He further called on Kenyans to support government initiatives aimed at strengthening outbreak preparedness, including the establishment of quarantine and isolation facilities.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, such facilities are critical long-term investments that will enhance the country’s capacity to respond to future health threats while safeguarding public health.
Among those present at the training were Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth and Acting Director-General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute, Maureen Kamene.
Officials said the training will strengthen Kenya’s capacity to rapidly respond to Ebola and other emerging public health threats, reinforcing the country’s commitment to protecting lives and maintaining health security.