Kenya has protested Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend travel and arrivals from the country over the Ebola outbreak, describing the restrictions as disproportionate and unsupported by scientific evidence.
In a diplomatic protest note dated October 30, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs urged Saudi Arabia to reconsider and lift the measures, warning that the decision could hurt Kenyan pilgrims, workers, students, businesses and the tourism sector.
Kenya acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s right to introduce public health measures to protect its citizens but argued that the blanket restrictions were not justified by the situation on the ground.
The ministry said Kenya had successfully contained the imported Ebola outbreak, with all nine confirmed cases belonging to one cluster linked to the initial imported case.
It further maintained that there was no community transmission, noting that all secondary cases were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms.
“All 9 cases belong to one cluster linked to the imported case and every secondary case was already in quarantine when they fell ill. There is no community transmission,” the ministry stated.
The government disclosed that seven patients were still receiving treatment but were responding well and were expected to be discharged on November 3.
Kenya also reported that it had traced and monitored all 135 contacts linked to the outbreak, with 46 expected to complete quarantine and be discharged on the same date, provided they maintained negative status.
The ministry added that the country had not recorded a new Ebola case since October 19, while the first group of contacts completed their 21-day quarantine period and was discharged on October 26.
Kenya invokes WHO position
In its protest, Kenya cited the World Health Organization (WHO), saying the global health agency had recognised the country’s handling of the outbreak and advised against travel and trade restrictions.
According to the ministry, WHO considers the risk outside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries to be low.
Kenya argued that Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend visas and bar travellers who had been in Kenya within the previous 21 days went beyond what the prevailing public health situation justified.
The government also defended its response, saying it had been transparent and notified WHO within 24 hours of identifying the outbreak.
Kenya threatens to escalate diplomatic concerns
Kenya has asked Saudi Arabia to formally explain the scientific basis for the restrictions and review the measures in line with the International Health Regulations (2005).
The ministry specifically urged Saudi Arabia’s National Focal Point to notify WHO under Regulation 43, which requires countries implementing measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to provide their public health rationale within 48 hours and review the measures within three months.
Nairobi also indicated that it could take the matter to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), working alongside other affected African countries.
Kenya warned that if the restrictions remained unsupported by scientific evidence, they could be viewed as a hostile act against Africa.
“The measures against Kenya are disproportionate and not supported by scientific health evidence,” the ministry stated.
Despite its strong protest, Kenya said it remained ready to provide Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority with a detailed technical briefing on the outbreak and the country’s containment efforts.
The dispute comes as Kenya continues its efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak while seeking to protect international travel, trade and movement of its citizens.
