Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has responded to Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend travel by its citizens to Kenya and halt visa issuance to travellers from the country over the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Duale has challenged the restrictions, arguing that they do not reflect the current epidemiological situation in Kenya, where health authorities say the outbreak remains contained within a single cluster.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Health on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the CS said Kenya had not recorded a new Ebola infection since October 19, insisting that the government’s containment measures had prevented further spread of the disease.
“The measures taken are not only excessive but not backed by the current epidemiological situation in the country,” Duale said.
His response followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement of travel restrictions targeting Kenya, including a suspension of travel by Saudi citizens and a halt to visa issuance for travellers arriving from the country.
Duale explains Kenya’s Ebola containment measures
Defending the government’s response, Duale said health officials had traced all 135 contacts associated with the initial Ebola case, with 118 placed under quarantine for monitoring.
He maintained that all eight confirmed cases covered in the Ministry’s statement were epidemiologically linked to the initial case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members.
According to the CS, health authorities had not established any transmission beyond the identified cluster.
“We have NOT had any transmission of the disease outside this cluster and I reiterate we have NO evidence of community transmission,” he said.
Duale further disclosed that seven patients remained under medical care, while five had returned an initial negative Ebola test after completing treatment.
The five patients were awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2, with the Ministry expressing optimism that they would be cleared for discharge on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 contacts who had remained symptom-free during quarantine.
Why Saudi Arabia suspended travel from Kenya
Saudi Arabia announced the restrictions following epidemiological assessments conducted by its health authorities.
The measures prohibit Saudi citizens from travelling to Kenya and suspend visa issuance to travellers from the country.
They also affect passengers arriving directly from Kenya or transiting through third countries if they had stayed in Kenya or another country experiencing an active Ebola outbreak within the preceding 21 days.
Saudi authorities said the restrictions were intended to minimise the possibility of Ebola spreading into the Kingdom.
The decision introduces additional travel and diplomatic pressure on Kenya as the government continues efforts to contain the outbreak and reassure international partners about the country’s disease surveillance measures.
Duale calls for international support instead of isolation
Responding to the restrictions, Duale said Kenya would continue engaging Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in an effort to address the concerns raised by the Kingdom.
He urged international partners to work with Kenya’s health authorities rather than introduce measures that could affect travel, diplomatic relations and economic cooperation.
“Kenya has demonstrated leadership, Kenya has demonstrated transparency, what we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” he said.
Kenya’s position is that the Ebola response should be guided by the available epidemiological evidence, particularly contact tracing, patient monitoring and the absence of identified transmission outside the reported cluster.
The government continues to monitor exposed individuals and release contacts who complete the required quarantine period without developing symptoms.
The unfolding dispute places the spotlight on how countries balance precautionary border controls with international public health cooperation during an infectious disease outbreak.
