Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ruled out plans to turn Kenya into a quarantine destination for Ebola patients and travellers from other countries, insisting that the country will not issue special health certificates to satisfy foreign travel requirements. The announcement comes as Kenya approaches a possible Ebola-free declaration on December 23, 2026, following progress in containing the Bundibugyo virus outbreak.
Highlights
- Kenya could be declared Ebola-free on December 23 if no new cases are recorded during the 42-day monitoring period.
- Duale says Kenya will not quarantine Ebola patients or travellers from other countries for foreign entry requirements.
- The government has rejected requests for Ebola-free and quarantine certificates for travel purposes.
- Screening and surveillance will continue at all points of entry.
- Duale has criticised countries imposing blanket travel and visa restrictions on Kenyan travellers.
Main Story
Kenya Rejects Role as Foreign Ebola Quarantine Centre
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that Kenya will not provide quarantine facilities for Ebola patients or travellers arriving from other countries who need to meet entry conditions imposed by foreign governments.
Speaking during a press briefing, Duale said the government would also not issue quarantine documents or Ebola-free certificates specifically to facilitate international travel.
He argued that such certifications were not provided for under the International Health Regulations, which guide how countries respond to public health emergencies.
The CS maintained that Kenya would not allow its health facilities to become centres for processing travellers seeking documentation to enter other destinations.
Kenya Targets December 23 for Ebola-Free Declaration
Duale revealed that Kenya could officially be declared free of the current Ebola outbreak on December 23, 2026, provided no additional infections are identified throughout the required 42-day observation period.
However, he cautioned that reaching the end of the countdown would not mean health authorities could relax their efforts.
The government intends to maintain heightened surveillance, investigate suspected cases and monitor possible alerts throughout the period.
Screening at airports, land borders and other points of entry will also continue as part of efforts to prevent new infections from entering the country.
The CS emphasised that the 42-day period is an important stage in the response rather than an indication that all public health precautions have been discontinued.
Duale Challenges Countries Imposing Travel Restrictions
The Health CS also criticised foreign jurisdictions that have introduced travel and visa restrictions against Kenya following the Ebola outbreak.
He argued that the government had been transparent in reporting infections, sharing information with international health partners and maintaining its borders in line with global health requirements.
Duale maintained that Kenya currently had no patients receiving Ebola treatment, no ongoing community transmission and no individuals remaining in quarantine as contacts.
He therefore questioned why Kenyan travellers should continue facing broad restrictions despite the progress reported by health authorities.
The CS urged affected countries to reconsider their decisions, arguing that Kenya’s openness and cooperation should not result in unfair treatment of its citizens.
He maintained that the country remained open to international business, tourism and trade.
Last Patient and Quarantined Contacts Released
The announcement follows a major development in Kenya’s Ebola response, with the final patient reportedly discharged and the last group of 11 people who had been under quarantine released.
The development marks an important step in the country’s efforts to contain the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
However, health officials are expected to maintain monitoring and screening measures until the required observation period is completed.
The government says continued vigilance will be necessary to ensure that no fresh infections emerge before the planned Ebola-free declaration.
Government Declines to Discuss Laikipia Isolation Centre
Duale also declined to provide details about the future of the Laikipia Ebola Isolation Centre located at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
The facility was established through a partnership between the Kenyan and United States governments to support the monitoring and isolation of people arriving from Ebola-affected areas, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Asked about the government’s plans for the centre, Duale said the matter was currently before the courts and could therefore not be discussed publicly.
The facility’s future remains unclear as Kenya moves towards the anticipated end of its Ebola response period.
For now, the government says its priority is maintaining surveillance, protecting public health and restoring confidence among international partners.
Kenya’s Ebola response may be approaching a major milestone, but the government still faces the challenge of rebuilding international confidence. Will the December 23 target finally put an end to the restrictions affecting Kenyan travellers?
