The Ministry of Health has suspended all meetings, seminars and conferences scheduled to take place in hotels following the confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.
In a memo dated Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni directed all heads of directorates, divisions and programmes to suspend the gatherings with immediate effect until further notice.
Speaking during an exclusive media interview on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Muthoni said the government was strengthening surveillance and preparing for possible developments following the confirmation of the case.
“Following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, the State Department is prioritising emergency preparedness, contact tracing and response measures,” the memo stated.
The directive requires any department seeking an exemption to obtain prior approval from the PS’s office. Ministry departments have also been urged to observe safety procedures as the government intensifies its response.
The patient reportedly developed symptoms about a month before travelling from the DRC through Uganda to Nairobi. He arrived in the capital on Saturday, October 3, and was taken to Nairobi Hospital for treatment.
Following confirmation of the infection, health officials began contact tracing to identify people who may have interacted with the patient. By the time of the initial announcement, 57 contacts had been identified for follow-up.
The government has since stepped up preventive measures in public institutions, including State House, where Cabinet Secretaries were seen sanitising their hands before attending a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Friday, October 9.
The suspension of hotel-based meetings is intended to strengthen emergency preparedness as health authorities continue contact tracing and response operations.
The ministry has not announced a date for lifting the suspension, stating that the directive will remain in force until further notice.
