KEMRI Delivers on Ebola Preparedness Pledge with Critical IPC Supplies

By WODERA James

There were smiles, gratitude, and renewed confidence this week as Busia County received a significant consignment of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) supplies from the Institute, fulfilling a pledge made by the Ag. Vice Chancellor and CEO, Prof. Elijah Songok, during an earlier Ebola preparedness mission.

The commitment was made during a two-day Ebola preparedness and response assessment mission conducted on 27–28 May 2026 in Busia and Malaba. Led by Prof. Songok, the KEMRI delegation engaged key stakeholders involved in Ebola preparedness and response across Busia County to assess existing preparedness capacities and identify critical gaps requiring urgent intervention. During the mission, Prof. Songok pledged KEMRI’s support in addressing some of the immediate needs identified, particularly in strengthening infection prevention and control measures.

The delivery of IPC supplies marks the fulfillment of that pledge and underscores KEMRI’s continued commitment to strengthening Kenya’s preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases, particularly in high-risk border regions that serve as critical points of entry. The donation is expected to enhance the county’s capacity to prevent and respond to potential Ebola outbreaks while safeguarding healthcare workers and the communities they serve as critical points of entry. The donation is expected to enhance the county’s capacity to prevent and respond to potential Ebola outbreaks while safeguarding healthcare workers and the communities they serve

The multidisciplinary team comprised Chair of the KEMRI Ebola Preparedness Response Team, Prof. Wallace Bulimo, Clinical Lead Dr. Christina Mwachari, Principal communications officer, Mr. James Wodera and Corporate Communications officer Mr. Duke Isaboke. They were joined by a strong team from KEMRI Busia led by the Ag. Deputy Director, Dr. Ferdinand Adungo.

True to the Institute’s promise, a month and a half later, KEMRI dispatched another delegation led by the Head of Laboratory Services, Ms. Lucy Kanyara, accompanied by Mr. Solomon Langat and Wodera, to deliver the much-needed IPC supplies to beneficiary institutions across the region.

The distribution exercise began in Eldoret, where supplies were delivered to the Sports Science Research Centre and received by Dr. Edwin Too and his team. The delegation then proceeded to Busia County, where donations were presented to strategic health and border facilities, including the Malaba One Stop Border Point, Teso North Sub County Hospital in Kocholia, the Emergency Treatment Unit at Alupe Sub-County Hospital, Main Laboratory at Busia County Referral Hospital and the Busia One Stop Border Point.

The latest donation builds on an earlier distribution exercise undertaken by KEMRI on 2–3 June 2026, which similarly targeted institutions at the frontline of disease surveillance, screening, infection prevention and control, and emergency response. Beneficiaries of that exercise included Malaba Port Health Services, Busia Port Health Services, the Busia County Government, and Alupe Sub County Hospital.

Among the supplies distributed were branded Ebola Virus Disease personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and other essential infection prevention supplies. The distribution was coordinated by KEMRI’s Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Control Research (CIPDCR) to support institutions directly involved in disease surveillance, screening, and emergency response.

The donated supplies are expected to significantly strengthen infection prevention and control practices, safeguard frontline healthcare workers, enhance preparedness at points of entry and healthcare facilities, and improve the country’s capacity to detect and respond rapidly to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.

The initiative reflects KEMRI’s unwavering commitment to supporting national and county governments in building resilient health systems capable of responding effectively to infectious disease outbreaks. As the country’s premier health research institution, KEMRI continues to translate scientific expertise into practical public health interventions that protect communities and strengthen Kenya’s epidemic preparedness.