US to give Kenya Shs50Bn for Ebola fight after Rubio-Ruto talks

By | May 29, 2026

‎The announcement made on Friday follows a phone call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto.

‎In a statement, the US State Department said the two leaders discussed regional efforts to stop the spread of Ebola and strengthen Kenya’s health response systems.

‎“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing Ebola outbreak and U.S.-Kenya coordination on public health response efforts,” the statement read.

‎“The Secretary and President Ruto discussed coordinated efforts to secure vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensure the strength and preparedness of Kenya’s health system.”

‎The State Department added that Washington has already committed to providing $112 million (approx. Shs422billion) in bilateral assistance to the regional response.

‎“The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination as the situation evolves and to continue leveraging the strong U.S.-Kenya health partnership that has proven essential in addressing public health challenges in Kenya and across East Africa,” the statement added.

‎“The United States’ highest priority remains protecting the health and security of the American people by working to prevent the Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores.”

‎The latest support comes as East African countries step up measures to contain the Ebola Bundibugyo strain that started in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before spreading across borders.

‎Uganda has confirmed seven Ebola cases and one death as of late May 2026, according to health authorities and international agencies.

‎The outbreak has forced the Ugandan government to suspend concerts, festivals, political rallies and other mass gatherings to stop the spread of the virus.

‎President Museveni also recently cancelled this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations, while Uganda Airlines suspended flights between Entebbe and Kinshasa.

‎The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern because of fears of further regional spread.

‎The latest announcement also follows another major US funding package of $80 million (about Shs301.8 billion) approved for Ebola response activities in the region.

‎According to the Department of US Foreign Assistance, the money will help buy protective gear for health workers, improve border screening, expand contact tracing and supply Ebola testing kits.

‎The US government has also committed $50 million (about Shs188.6 billion) through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to support up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in affected parts of the DRC.

‎In addition, Washington is providing $300 million (about Shs1.13 trillion) through OCHA pooled funds to Uganda and the DRC for broader humanitarian support linked to the outbreak.

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