Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a strong warning to individuals seeking to benefit financially from Kenya’s Ebola response, insisting that public resources and donations meant to contain the disease must be managed transparently.
“There will be no Ebola millionaires,” Duale declared, emphasising that anyone attempting to exploit the outbreak for personal financial gain would not be allowed to do so.
The CS's remarks come amid concerns about accountability in the management of public resources, particularly following controversies surrounding the procurement of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, government procurement processes attracted criticism after investigations and audit reports raised questions about the allocation and use of billions of shillings meant for emergency medical supplies. The controversy left many Kenyans demanding stronger oversight of public funds.
Duale appeared determined to prevent a repeat of such concerns, warning individuals against approaching the Ministry of Health in search of lucrative contracts linked to the Ebola response.
He also dismissed claims circulating about the amount of money available for the exercise, cautioning against attempts to create misleading expectations around the resources allocated to the ministry.
The Cabinet Secretary pledged that the government would publicly account for financial and material support received from development partners and other contributors. He maintained that all resources mobilised for the response must be used for their intended purpose.
His announcement comes at a significant moment in Kenya's efforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the last patient receiving treatment had been discharged after recovering from the disease. All 135 contacts linked to the outbreak were also traced and monitored, with no community transmission reported.
According to the ministry, Kenya is scheduled to begin a 42-day countdown towards an Ebola-free declaration on November 12. The country is expected to be declared free of the disease on or around December 23, provided no new cases are recorded during that period.
Despite the progress, the government has maintained that surveillance and preparedness measures will continue across the country. Health facilities, rapid response teams and public health officers are expected to remain alert to any suspected cases.
The government's commitment to financial accountability will be closely watched as the country completes its response activities. For many Kenyans, preventing corruption during a public health emergency is just as important as ensuring that medical resources reach the people who need them.
By promising that there will be no 'Ebola millionaires', Duale has placed transparency at the centre of the ministry's response and set a public expectation that every contribution will be properly accounted for.
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