Kenya is assuring international visitors that the country is safe for travel as the government steps up health protocols after the confirmation of its first Ebola case. The government has moved to allay fears, but the US and UK governments have issued fresh travel advisories following the confirmation. The UK government has urged travellers to follow guidance from Kenyan health authorities and check health requirements before travelling.
The US government, on the other hand, has tied the advisory with a vote of confidence in Kenya's capacity to handle any Ebola-related emergencies. US Chargé d'Affaires, Susan Burns, told a media briefing at the Nairobi Embassy that Kenya is well-equipped to handle the viral disease, thanks to a broad partnership with the US government and health entities.
The new threat to foreign tourism arrivals comes as the government maintains its target of attracting 5.5 million international tourists by 2028. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the relevant government agencies are working closely to strengthen precautionary measures and ensure the country remains a safe destination.
Miano said the reported Ebola case, involving a Kenyan who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was being treated as “an isolated incident”, with surveillance and response measures having been strengthened. She said Kenya has a fully-fledged Resilience and Crisis Management Centre for Tourism at Kenyatta University, which will help ensure the sector remains prepared to respond to emerging threats.
The government is simultaneously stepping up efforts to expand tourism earnings by using technology, artificial intelligence, and product diversification to attract more visitors and increase spending. Miano said Kenya received 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, generating approximately Sh500 billion, while domestic travellers reached an all-time high of 5.2 million.
The country is now targeting 5.5 million international visitors by 2028, and Miano said technology would increasingly determine the competitiveness of destinations by helping tourism players understand travellers, identify emerging markets, personalise marketing, and anticipate demand. The Magical Kenya Travel Expo has attracted participants from more than 40 countries, more than 10,000 delegates, and more than 250 vetted international buyers.
The minister said Kenya could no longer rely solely on its traditional wildlife and beach tourism products, and the country is increasingly promoting meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), sports tourism, adventure, culture, wellness, and business travel as part of efforts to diversify its tourism offering. Principal Secretary for Tourism Julius Bitok said the sector had a bright future, citing government investment in infrastructure and the hosting of major international sporting events.
Key points
- The US and UK governments have issued fresh travel advisories following the confirmation of Kenya's first Ebola case.
- Kenya has a fully-fledged Resilience and Crisis Management Centre for Tourism at Kenyatta University to respond to emerging threats.
- The country is targeting 5.5 million international visitors by 2028.
