By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Kenya does not intend to close its borders following the Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, the Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Dr. Andrew Mulwa, has said.

Dr. Mulwa said the government has instead prioritized heightened surveillance and improved preparedness across the country.

He was speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIC Kiatineni in Mbooni Constituency.

He called on county administrations to scale up their readiness and response systems to deal with any suspected Ebola case.

He further urged the public to stay alert, seek immediate medical care when symptoms appear, and work closely with health officials to contain the disease.

The government has now confirmed eight Ebola cases.

By LYDIA NGOOLO 

Learners in PP2, Grade 3 and Grade 6 were on Friday celebrated during a graduation and prayer day ceremony held in Machakos to mark the end of the 2026 academic year.

The event brought together parents, teachers, learners and the school management to celebrate academic progress, character development and transition to the next level of learning.

Addressing the gathering, School Director Mary Mutuku thanked parents for entrusting the institution with their children and attributed the school’s progress to faith, partnership and teamwork.

“We normally begin our school activities with prayers, committing our pupils, teachers and parents into God’s hands. Today we can confidently say God has been faithful,” she said.

Mutuku said the year had been busy and exciting, with drama activities in first term, music festivals and sports in second term, alongside educational trips that exposed learners to learning beyond the classroom.

She commended parents for their financial and moral support, noting that the experiences had boosted learners’ confidence and personal growth.

The Director congratulated PP2 learners as they prepare to join Grade 1, urging them to remain curious, kind and eager to learn. She also celebrated Grade 3 learners for attaining an important milestone and challenged Grade 6 candidates to uphold discipline and values as they transition.

She noted that this year’s class is the second Grade 6 cohort since the school’s inception, describing it as a sign of growth and hope for the future.

“We may still have a long way to go, but with God’s guidance and your continued support, even greater things are ahead,” Mutuku said, while leading prayers for the Grade 6 candidates ahead of their transition assessment.

Head of Institution Naomy Kambua Kiio said the ceremony was a moment to celebrate hard work, perseverance and achievement, and to reflect on the journey travelled together in 2026.

Kiio said the academic year was characterized by commitment from teachers, learners and parents, with teachers working tirelessly to support learners academically, socially, emotionally and morally.

She said the institution emphasizes holistic education beyond examination performance, focusing on discipline, character, responsibility, teamwork, respect and leadership through sports, swimming, music, creative arts, religious programmes and academic competitions.

“These experiences enable learners to discover their talents, develop confidence and appreciate teamwork. We are not simply preparing learners to pass assessments, but to become responsible, confident and productive members of society,” she said.

Kiio lauded teaching and non-teaching staff for ensuring a safe, clean and conducive learning environment, and thanked parents for providing learning materials, meeting school obligations and monitoring learners’ progress.

She urged continued partnership between the school and home, noting that learners benefit most when both work together.

The ceremony ended with Christmas and New Year wishes to parents and learners as the school closed for the festive holiday.

The preacher of the day pastor Annancietta Ndunda reminded parents that the holiday is long and they should take extreme care of their children. Ndunda encouraged children to be wise and not listen to friends who want to ruin their lives.