The Kenyan government has announced new Ebola rules for the holiday season, requiring citizens returning from Ebola-affected countries to undergo mandatory health screening and possible quarantine. The measures aim to prevent new infections as the country prepares for Christmas. Under the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo must register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before undergoing screening at points of entry.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized that no traveler will be denied entry solely for having visited an Ebola-affected nation. The rules, however, provide for the quarantine of individuals identified as contacts at points of entry for 21 days, with release possible after two negative diagnostic tests. The government has also authorized port health officers to impose travel restrictions on transiting individuals, subject to review and lifting when the underlying risk ceases.
The new rules also address the handling of bodies of Ebola victims. The repatriation of bodies from outside Kenya is banned, and any deaths within the country require sealed, leak-resistant bags and trained personnel. Duale assured families that religious burial customs will be respected, provided they comply with the public-health safeguards outlined in the rules.
The draft rules are currently before the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee, chaired by MP Samuel Chepkonga. The committee will recommend whether to approve the rules as presented or suggest amendments. Kenya has made progress in containing the outbreak, with the sixth patient discharged on November 6 after testing negative.
Health Director General Patrick Amoth noted an 18-day streak without new infections but warned that the WHO-mandated 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over has not yet begun. Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases overall, with one patient still under treatment.
The government has emphasized its commitment to preventing new infections and ensuring public safety. The measures are part of a broader effort to contain the Ebola outbreak and prevent its spread. The National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee will play a crucial role in shaping the country's response to the outbreak.
Key aspects of the new rules include mandatory health screening for travelers, quarantine for individuals identified as contacts, and restrictions on the handling of bodies of Ebola victims. The government has assured the public that it will work to balance public health needs with respect for religious and cultural customs.
Key points
- Kenya mandates health screening for citizens returning from Ebola-affected countries.
- The rules provide for quarantine of individuals identified as contacts at points of entry.
- The government has banned repatriation of bodies from outside Kenya and outlined safeguards for handling deaths within the country.
