Kenya has formally protested Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend travel from the country over the Ebola outbreak, describing the restrictions as disproportionate and unsupported by scientific evidence.
In a diplomatic communication dated October 30, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs urged Saudi authorities to review and lift the measures, which bar travellers from Kenya from entering the Kingdom.
Kenya acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s right to implement public health measures to protect its citizens but argued that the decision goes beyond what the prevailing health situation in the country justifies.
“With respect, while Kenya acknowledges the right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to implement health measures in accordance with their national law to protect their citizens, the measures against Kenya are disproportionate and not supported by scientific health evidence,” the ministry stated.
The government maintained that it had contained the imported Ebola outbreak, noting that all nine reported cases belonged to one cluster linked to the initial imported case.
According to the ministry, every secondary case was already in quarantine when they developed symptoms, with no evidence of community transmission.
Kenya further disclosed that seven patients who were still receiving treatment were responding well to supportive care and were expected to be discharged on November 3, 2026.
The ministry also said 46 contacts were scheduled to leave quarantine on the same date, adding that all 135 contacts linked to the outbreak had been traced and placed under daily monitoring.
The first group of contacts completed the mandatory 21-day quarantine period and was discharged on October 26, while the remaining contacts were expected to be released on November 3, provided they continued testing negative.
“There has been no new case since 19 October,” the ministry stated.
Kenya also cited the World Health Organization (WHO), saying the global health body had recognised the country’s response as professional, diligent and transparent while advising against travel and trade restrictions.
The government added that WHO had assessed the risk outside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighbouring countries as low.
The ministry criticised Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend visas and bar individuals who had been in Kenya within the preceding 21 days, describing the measure as a blanket restriction that was not justified by the country’s epidemiological situation.
“Suspending visas and barring anyone who has been in Kenya in the last 21 days is a blanket, punitive measure not supported by epidemiological evidence in the country. It goes well beyond what the public health situation justifies,” the ministry stated.
It warned that the restrictions would negatively affect Kenyan pilgrims, workers in Saudi Arabia, students, trade and tourism.
The government further argued that the measures penalised Kenya despite its cooperation with international health authorities, noting that it had notified WHO of the outbreak within 24 hours.
In its diplomatic protest, Kenya called on Saudi authorities to formally reconsider the restrictions and lift them.
It also urged Saudi Arabia’s National Focal Point to notify WHO, in accordance with Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005), explaining the scientific justification for measures that significantly interfere with international travel within 48 hours.
The regulation also requires such measures to be reviewed within three months.
Kenya said it would work with other affected African countries to raise the matter with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The ministry warned that restrictions not backed by scientific evidence could amount to a hostile act against the continent.
“Kenya in conjunction with affected countries on the continent, will share its concerns with Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as an example of the disproportionate restrictions to travel and a hostile act against Africa to the extent the measures are not backed by scientific evidence,” the statement read.
Despite its objections, Kenya said it remained willing to provide Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority with a detailed technical briefing on the outbreak and the country’s containment measures.
