Nairobi — As fears of Ebola ripple across East and Central Africa, Kenya’s health authorities are turning to a familiar tool in an unfamiliar fight: WhatsApp.
The Ministry of Health has introduced a chatbot, known as JALI, to give the public quick access to verified information about the virus. The move comes as neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo grapple with fresh outbreaks, raising concerns about cross-border spread.
In a brief advisory, the ministry urged Kenyans to rely on the service for accurate updates and to avoid rumours that could stir unnecessary alarm.
“Stay safe and informed with trusted health guidance from the Ministry of Health,” the statement read. “Chat with JALI on WhatsApp to access verified Ebola information anytime, anywhere.”
The service is simple by design. Users save a dedicated number, start a chat with a greeting, and follow prompts to receive guidance on symptoms, prevention and available support. Officials say the aim is to meet people where they already are, on their phones and to cut through the noise that often surrounds disease outbreaks.
The rollout comes at a moment of heightened vigilance. Kenya has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases. Still, authorities have stepped up screening at airports and border crossings, wary of the region’s fluid movement of people.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said more than 80,000 travellers have been screened since surveillance was intensified. Nearly 4,000 of those screenings took place within a single day.
“Kenya has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” Mr Duale said in a statement. “The country continues to maintain and strengthen preparedness measures in response to the ongoing outbreak in the region.”
Health officials have also tested dozens of suspected cases identified through travel history and monitoring systems. All have returned negative.
Public health experts say digital tools like JALI can help bridge gaps in communication, especially in fast-moving situations where misinformation can spread as quickly as the disease itself. But they caution that such tools must be paired with on-the-ground engagement, particularly in rural and border communities where access to digital services may be uneven.
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