Kenya is set to be declared Ebola-free on December 23, 2026, if no new cases are reported, with the Ministry of Health announcing the start of the 42-day countdown following the discharge of the last patient and the release of all remaining contacts from quarantine.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says all seven patients who contracted the disease have now recovered, with the last patient discharged from hospital on Wednesday in a healthy condition and free of the virus.
Duale said the last 11 contacts who had been in quarantine were also released, marking the first time since the outbreak that Kenya has no Ebola patient under treatment and no contact in quarantine.
The milestone comes 37 days after the first Ebola case was confirmed in Kenya, with the last infection reported 23 days ago and no new cases recorded since then.
The CS acknowledged that two patients succumbed to the disease, sending condolences to their families.
He credited the progress to cooperation between the national and county governments, development partners, health workers and other stakeholders, saying the response had been achieved despite limited resources.
Duale recalled that the first contacts were released on October 26, while five patients were discharged on November 3, becoming the first Kenyans to survive the disease.
He said all seven patients had now recovered, while all contacts had completed their monitoring cycle.
The CS also reiterated his commitment to accountability, promising to publish details of the support received from partners and account for resources used in managing the outbreak.
“I told you there will be no Ebola billionaires,” Duale said, assuring Kenyans that the government had managed the emergency with very limited resources.
He added that once the countdown is completed, he would table a comprehensive report before Parliament detailing the response and contributions made by partners.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the outbreak had provided important lessons for Kenya's emergency preparedness, particularly the importance of motivated and adequately trained health workers in responding to public health emergencies.
Amoth also cited coordination among government agencies, counties and partners as critical in containing the disease.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Director of Programme Management Abdourahmane Diallo congratulated the discharged patient and their family, describing the milestone as a reflection of the strength of Kenya's health system.
On behalf of WHO Regional Director Dr Janabi and the organisation, Diallo commended the Kenyan government for its transparency and diligent management of the outbreak.
Kenya will officially be declared Ebola-free after completing the mandatory 42-day period without a new case, in line with disease surveillance requirements.
