In a statement issued on Thursday, May 28, the President said the committee will operate under the leadership of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
According to Ruto, the team will spearhead a coordinated national strategy aimed at protecting the country from any possible Ebola-related emergencies and strengthening Kenya’s readiness in the event of a regional health threat.
“The Government will establish a National Response Committee under the leadership of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to coordinate a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, strengthen public awareness and preparedness, and mobilise the technical and financial resources necessary to address any eventualities arising from the Ebola outbreak,” Ruto said.
The President noted that the government is taking the situation seriously due to the proximity of the affected countries and the movement of people across borders within the East African region.
The committee is expected to bring together various government agencies and stakeholders to ensure coordinated surveillance, rapid response planning, public education, and resource mobilisation.
Officials say the initiative will focus on enhancing preparedness at border points, improving disease surveillance systems, strengthening emergency response structures, and increasing public awareness on Ebola prevention and reporting.
The government also intends to work closely with health experts, county governments, regional bodies, and international health agencies to ensure that Kenya remains alert and adequately prepared.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids and has previously caused deadly outbreaks in several African countries. Health authorities often emphasize early detection, isolation, contact tracing, and public awareness as critical measures in controlling its spread.
Kenya has in the past heightened surveillance during regional outbreaks due to its position as a transport and trade hub within East Africa. The latest move by the government signals renewed concern over the potential risk posed by cross-border transmission.
The formation of the committee comes amid increased attention on public health preparedness following previous regional and global disease outbreaks that exposed weaknesses in emergency response systems in many countries.