Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appointed Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah to the National Ebola Disease Taskforce. The appointment, communicated in a letter dated October 19, 2026, comes after KMPDU requested representation in the national team coordinating Kenya’s response to the Ebola outbreak.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah had written to Duale seeking the union’s inclusion, arguing that its participation would help strengthen technical coordination, communication and the protection of healthcare workers involved in managing the outbreak. The request followed a meeting of the union’s National Advisory Council held on October 16, 2026, during which members agreed that KMPDU should actively participate in the national response mechanism.
KMPDU Seeks Greater Role in Ebola Response
In his letter to the Health Cabinet Secretary, Atellah emphasized the importance of involving healthcare workers’ representatives in decisions affecting the management of the outbreak. The union believes its participation will enable it to contribute professional expertise, improve information sharing and raise concerns affecting medical practitioners working in affected areas.
Duale subsequently confirmed Miskellah’s appointment, noting that the Ministry of Health had established the taskforce to provide strategic direction and coordinate the country’s response following confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6, 2026. The CS said Miskellah’s experience and the union’s role in protecting the health of Kenyans informed the decision to include him in the team.
Responsibilities of the National Ebola Taskforce
The National Ebola Disease Taskforce is chaired by the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, with the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Governors serving as co-chair. As a member, Miskellah is expected to attend taskforce meetings and provide strategic advice on outbreak preparedness and response.
His responsibilities will also include supporting coordination, communication and mobilisation of the constituency he represents, as well as helping implement decisions and action points agreed upon by the taskforce. Additional duties may be assigned by the chairperson as the national response progresses.
Duale further directed members to maintain confidentiality regarding taskforce deliberations, particularly information relating to patients, contacts and budgets. The Cabinet Secretary added that all official communication concerning the Ebola response would be handled through authorised Ministry of Health channels.
Miskellah Lands Second State Appointment in a Month
The appointment marks Miskellah’s second state-level appointment within a month. Earlier, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi appointed him to the Board of Trustees of the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND) for a three-year term beginning October 9, 2026. The appointment was published in Gazette Notice No. 15978 under the Local Authorities Provident Fund Act. Miskellah’s latest appointment adds to his involvement in national health policy and public service matters.
Previous Appointment to Health Taskforce
In 2024, Miskellah was among 18 members appointed by President William Ruto to a taskforce tasked with addressing human resources for health. The team was established to examine challenges affecting the healthcare workforce and recommend measures to improve the management and availability of health professionals in the country. His appointment to the National Ebola Disease Taskforce now places him among officials and representatives responsible for coordinating efforts to contain the current outbreak and strengthen the protection of healthcare workers.
