The Kenyan government has formally requested Saudi Arabia to review its travel restrictions, which were imposed following the Ebola outbreak in Kenya. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs argues that these restrictions could significantly disrupt pilgrimages, employment, education, and trade between the two countries. This move comes after Saudi Arabia suspended travel and visa issuance to Kenyans.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya has successfully contained the Ebola outbreak. All nine confirmed cases were traced to a single cluster linked to an imported case reported on October 6, 2026. The ministry emphasized that the travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia are disproportionate and not supported by scientific health evidence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that Kenya has professionally and transparently contained the outbreak. The global health body has advised against travel and trade restrictions, rating the risk outside the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbors as low. Kenya cited this assessment in its diplomatic communication to Saudi Arabia.
Kenya described Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend visas and bar travelers who had been in Kenya within the previous 21 days as a blanket measure. This measure, the Kenyan government argues, goes beyond what the public health situation warrants. The government has asked Saudi Arabia to provide the WHO with justification for the restrictions under Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005).
The Kenyan government has also expressed its intention to raise this matter with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This will be done in collaboration with other affected African countries. The government warned that restrictions unsupported by scientific evidence could amount to discriminatory treatment of African countries.
Kenya has reiterated its readiness to provide the Saudi Public Health Authority with a detailed technical briefing on the Ebola situation. This move aims to address any concerns Saudi Arabia may have regarding the outbreak. The briefing will likely cover the measures Kenya has taken to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread.
The travel restrictions have significant implications for the relationship between Kenya and Saudi Arabia. With the Ebola outbreak contained, Kenya is seeking a review of the restrictions to restore normal interactions between the two countries. The outcome of this diplomatic effort will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including pilgrims, students, and traders who have been affected by the restrictions.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has urged Saudi Arabia to reconsider its travel restrictions, citing the successful containment of the Ebola outbreak and the potential economic and social impacts on both countries.
- The World Health Organization has advised against travel and trade restrictions, rating the risk of Ebola spread outside the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbors as low.
- Kenya has offered to provide a detailed technical briefing to the Saudi Public Health Authority on the Ebola situation to address any concerns and facilitate a review of the travel restrictions.
