Written by Dorine Ochieng, CFK Africa Program Officer for Public Health
With Ebola cases continuing to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, countries across the region remain on high alert.
Kenya remains at risk of Ebola transmission due to its high volume of cross-border travel and major international transport hubs. While national surveillance measures have been strengthened at points of entry, we know that true preparedness requires more than screening at entry. It depends on fast reporting, surveillance, infection prevention, laboratory capacities, contact tracing, and clear communication that reaches every community.
CFK Africa (CFK) is a key player in bolstering community-level readiness in Nairobi and Kajiado counties, areas classified as very high-risk and high-risk, respectively, for Ebola transmission.
We recently conducted sensitization sessions for CHPs in Kajiado North sub-county on how to identify and report potential Ebola cases using the M-Dharura platform. M-Dharura, Kenya’s primary EBS digital platform, allows community health teams to flag information that may signal a public health threat, even before it appears in routine clinical data. The training emphasized vigilance around cross-border travelers; understanding symptoms such as fever, weakness, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding; and identifying those who have had contact with suspected cases.
Outbreak preparedness cannot stop at hospitals. In the informal settlements where CFK operates, the first warning signs often appear at the household and community levels. CHPs are essential because they are trusted, understand local movement patterns, and can help ensure suspected cases are detected and reported early enough to protect lives.
By strengthening community awareness and surveillance systems, CFK is helping ensure that early warning signs are not missed, that all communities receive trusted health information, and that informal settlements are protected through swift, coordinated action.
Preparedness begins long before an outbreak reaches a border, and with strong community networks in place, Kenya is better equipped to detect, respond, and save lives. We hope that Kenya continues its history of no detected Ebola cases. But if it does arrive, we will be ready.