By Ongaga Ongaga
The Ministry of Health has challenged measures taken by Saudi Arabia over Kenya’s Ebola outbreak, describing them as excessive and unsupported by the prevailing epidemiological situation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya had contained the outbreak through contact tracing, quarantine and treatment, with no evidence of community transmission.
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Duale said the initial case was imported and that health authorities had successfully identified and traced all 135 contacts linked to the patient, representing 100 per cent of the known contacts.
Of these, 118 were placed under quarantine as part of containment measures.
He disclosed that all eight confirmed cases were linked to the initial case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members.
“We have NOT had any transmission of the disease outside this cluster and I reiterate we have NO evidence of community transmission,” Duale said.
The CS added that Kenya had not recorded a new Ebola case since October 19, 2026, although two deaths had been reported, including the index patient.
He said the seven patients still receiving treatment were making good progress, with five having returned their first negative Ebola tests after completing treatment.
The five patients were awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2, with the Ministry expressing optimism that they could be discharged the following day if the results were negative.
According to Duale, 46 additional contacts who had remained symptom-free while under quarantine were also expected to be released on November 3. This would bring the number of contacts released from quarantine to 66, including 20 who had previously completed the process.
“This clearly demonstrates that our response is holding and will soon deliver spectacular results,” he said.
The Ministry of Health said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the measures, although the statement did not specify the restrictions imposed by the Kingdom.
Duale called on the international community to support Kenya’s efforts to contain the outbreak rather than impose restrictions that could undermine international cooperation.
“What we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” he said.
He thanked Kenyans for their solidarity during the outbreak, saying the country had demonstrated leadership and transparency in managing the public health emergency.
