Kenya Fights Back Against Saudi's 'Excessive' Ebola Travel Ban

Saudi Arabia has implemented stringent travel restrictions against Kenya, suspending travel for its citizens to Kenya and barring Kenyan travelers from entering the Kingdom due to concerns over an Ebola outbreak. These measures, announced on October 30, include the suspension of all categories of visas for individuals arriving from Kenya. The restrictions also extend to travelers entering through third countries if they have stayed in Kenya or another Ebola-affected nation within the 21 days preceding their arrival. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) stated that these decisions were based on epidemiological assessments conducted by national health authorities, building upon preventive protocols introduced in July 2019 and strengthened in May 2026.

In response, Kenya has lodged a strong protest against Saudi Arabia's decision, describing the restrictions as excessive, disproportionate, and unsupported by the current epidemiological situation. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs have committed to pursuing diplomatic engagement to resolve the dispute. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, in a diplomatic note dated October 30, 2026, acknowledged Saudi Arabia's right to implement health measures but argued that the current public health situation in Kenya does not justify such severe restrictions.

Kenya's Ministry of Health has asserted that the Ebola situation within the country is stable and under control, with no new confirmed cases reported since October 19. All 135 contacts linked to the imported index case have been identified and traced, with 118 placed under quarantine. The Ministry confirmed that all eight recorded infections were directly linked to the index case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members, with no evidence of community transmission beyond this cluster. Seven patients remain under care, with two deaths including the index case. Five of these patients have shown initial negative Ebola test results and are optimistic about being discharged soon, alongside 46 contacts completing quarantine.

The Kenyan government highlighted that its response efforts are effective and transparent, calling for international support and collaboration instead of condemnation and isolation. Officials stressed that the measures penalize a country that has been transparent and notified the WHO within 24 hours. Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi warned that the restrictions could negatively impact Kenyan pilgrims planning to travel for Hajj and Umrah, workers in the Kingdom, students, trade, and tourism. The uncertainty surrounding exemptions for pilgrims is a significant concern for many.

Saudi Arabia has maintained similar travel restrictions on countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan due to the multi-country Ebola outbreak affecting several African nations. The latest figures indicate over 10,000 confirmed cases and 5,030 deaths across the continent, with the DRC accounting for the majority. Despite these expanded restrictions, Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority, Weqaya, has stated that the health situation within the Kingdom remains reassuring and under constant surveillance, with ongoing monitoring of regional and international developments.

Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged Saudi Arabia to review and lift the restrictions, requesting notification to the WHO within 48 hours in line with International Health Regulations (2005) and a review of the measures within three months. Kenya also plans to collaborate with other affected African countries to raise the issue with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), viewing the move as potentially hostile to Africans. Saudi Arabia has not yet indicated how long the restrictions will remain in force or specified the conditions for their cessation.