Kenya Sets Aside 241 Hospital Beds as Ebola Response Intensifies

Kenya has set aside 241 hospital beds for Ebola patients and intensified contact tracing after confirming an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the beds have been reserved across five healthcare facilities as part of measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness. The Nairobi Hospital has allocated 130 beds, while Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has set aside 50. The National Police Hospital has 49 beds, with Kenyatta National Hospital and Port Reitz Hospital providing eight and four beds respectively.

The Ministry of Health said the facilities form the initial response capacity and that more hospitals could be activated if necessary. The measures follow the death of a patient who was diagnosed with Ebola at The Nairobi Hospital. The case was Kenya’s first confirmed imported case of the disease. The patient later died and was buried under strict public health protocols in an operation coordinated with the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Health authorities credited frontline medical workers with identifying the case and beginning containment measures. The ministry has continued to emphasise early detection and rapid response as key elements in preventing further transmission.

Contact tracing is now a major part of the response. The Ministry of Health said 57 people linked to the confirmed case have been identified. Ten have been located and placed under quarantine at the National Police Service Hospital in Nairobi, where they are being monitored for signs of illness.

Health officials are continuing to locate the remaining contacts and assess their potential exposure. The process is intended to identify any further infections early and prevent possible chains of transmission.

The government has also strengthened health measures at key border points. Temporary isolation facilities have been designated in Malaba, Busia and Kocholia, while renovation work is under way at Alupe Sub-County Hospital in Busia County to improve its capacity to manage suspected Ebola cases.

Traveller screening has also been increased at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other points of entry. The measures are aimed at detecting possible cases and limiting the risk of the disease being brought into the country.

The Ministry of Health has urged the public to maintain good hand hygiene and report suspected symptoms or known exposure promptly. Kenyans have also been advised to rely on official health information and use the national health hotline when seeking guidance.