How a Sierra Leonean city became a global frontline for infectious disease research

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kenema, the second-largest city in Sierra Leone, serves as a vital commercial hub for diamonds and agriculture. Yet, its global significance lies in its medical infrastructure. Home to one of the world's few dedicated Lassa fever wards, the city became the critical frontline during the 2014 Ebola epidemic.

Nestled in a valley within the Kambui Hills, Kenema has evolved from a local hunting settlement into a bustling administrative and commercial centre. Its modern trajectory was defined by the arrival of the Sierra Leone Government Railway in 1909, which turned the town into a key collection point for timber, coffee, and cocoa. The 1931 discovery of alluvial diamonds further integrated the city into the global economy, eventually leading to the establishment of the Government Diamond Office in 1959 to regulate the region's extractive wealth.

The city's strategic importance also made it a focal point during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Its proximity to diamond-rich districts like Kono and Kailahun meant Kenema was a recurring theatre of conflict between government forces, the Civil Defence Forces, and the Revolutionary United Front. This era of instability, fueled by the trade of conflict diamonds, eventually helped trigger the international Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003. Since the war's conclusion, Kenema has experienced rapid urbanisation, with its population growing from roughly 128,402 in 2004 to over 255,000 by 2021.

Beyond commerce, Kenema holds a unique place in public health history. The Kenema Government Hospital has operated a specialized Lassa fever research and treatment program since the 1970s. This expertise proved vital on 25 May 2014, when the facility diagnosed Sierra Leone's first Ebola case. The hospital's staff, including the late chief physician Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan, became central figures in the response to the epidemic. Today, the city continues to expand its medical capacity, including the 2019 opening of a dedicated Médecins Sans Frontières paediatric hospital to address regional health challenges.

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