Health CS Aden Duale pledged safeguards against profiteering during Kenya’s Ebola response.
Health CS Aden Duale pledges close scrutiny of emergency procurement and spending as authorities track infections linked to Kenya’s first imported case.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has pledged tighter Ebola response controls to prevent corruption and profiteering. He warned that no business people or public officials would become “Ebola billionaires” under his watch.
Speaking at Uruku Health Centre in Meru County, Duale said the ministry had introduced safeguards against exploitation. He also promised close monitoring of procurement and spending to protect public resources during the outbreak.
Duale pledges Ebola response scrutiny
Duale referred to alleged corruption and mismanagement during Kenya’s COVID-19 response, including the emergence of “COVID billionaires”. He said commercial interests and public officials must not use health emergencies for personal gain.
The Cabinet Secretary also shared his family’s experience of the pandemic, saying his mother died from COVID-19. That loss, he said, had strengthened his determination to prevent profiteering during health crises.
His remarks came during the commissioning of a new maternity wing at the health centre. The project involved a partnership with the Safaricom M-PESA Foundation and aims to expand local maternal and child health services.
Health officials trace infections to one cluster
Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 6. The patient, a Kenyan who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, travelled through Uganda to Nairobi.
The patient later died, prompting authorities to begin contact tracing and strengthen surveillance and isolation measures. Since then, the Ministry of Health has identified contacts and confirmed several infections among people connected to that patient.
However, health authorities say all confirmed cases remain within the same cluster. They have reported no evidence of wider community transmission.
Duale backs Ruto-Kindiki partnership
Turning to politics, Duale urged Meru residents to defend Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against disrespect. He described Kindiki as an important political asset and cautioned against switching allegiance for uncertain gains.
Using a local proverb, he urged residents not to abandon what they already had for opportunities that might never materialise.
Duale also rallied support for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election. He backed the continuation of the Ruto-Kindiki partnership, saying it would support policy continuity, economic development and security.
He further linked that partnership to the government’s effort to achieve universal health coverage.
