Kenyan Govt Protests Israel’s Travel Restrictions on Citizens Over Ebola Concerns

Kenya has protested a decision by the government of Israel to include the country among those whose travellers will face restrictions over Ebola concerns, arguing that no cases of the disease have been reported in the country.

In a statement issued on June 15, 2026, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei described the move as unfortunate, citing Kenya’s efforts in supporting regional Ebola surveillance and response measures.

Sing’Oei said Kenya has played an active role in regional efforts aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.

“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict. This is esp unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance & response to Ebola,” he said.

Kenya Questions Israel Travel Restrictions Over Ebola Concerns

The Foreign Affairs PS maintained that the coubtry has not recorded any Ebola cases despite conducting extensive testing.

According to Sing’Oei, more than 80,000 Ebola tests have been carried out in the country, with all results returning negative.

“With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” he stated.

The protest comes amid concerns that the restrictions could affect travel between the two countries and impact Kenyans seeking to visit Israel.

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According to a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on June 10, 2026, airlines were instructed to prevent foreign citizens and residents of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo from boarding flights bound for Israel due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak.

The directive further stated that any foreign national who had stayed in or visited any of the listed countries within 21 days before travel would also be denied boarding, regardless of their nationality or country of residence.

Airlines were instructed to question passengers before boarding and verify whether they had recently visited any of the restricted countries. However, the restrictions do not apply to Israeli citizens or residents.

The Israeli authorities said the measures were introduced in line with government directives aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola into the country.

Health CS Says Rapid Response Team Training Strengthens Ebola Preparedness 

Elsewhere ,Kenya has intensified its preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through a Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers workshop aimed at strengthening national and sub-national capacity to detect, prevent and respond to potential outbreaks.

Also Read: Uganda Rugby Withdraws Rugby Cranes 7s from Mauritius Sevens Over Ebola-Linked Restrictions

Speaking during the opening of the four-day training in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale highlighted that preparedness remains a critical pillar of national health security, noting that the country remains at risk of disease importation due to its strategic position as a regional transport, trade and travel hub.

He also commended members of the Rapid Response Team, including experts who were deployed to support the West African Ebola response between 2014 and 2016, for their service and contribution to global health security.

Duale further called on participants to share their frontline experiences to strengthen outbreak preparedness, infection prevention and control measures, and emergency response systems across the country.

In addition, the CS noted that the training represents a strategic investment in Kenya’s surge capacity and will support the transfer of critical skills and knowledge to counties and sub-counties to enhance readiness for public health emergencies.

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Israel Bars Travellers From Kenya and Four Other Countries. Photo/ Israel