Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei says Kenya will rely on stronger surveillance and prevention, not border closures, to contain Ebola. He was responding to rising concern about restrictions other countries are placing on Kenyan travellers.

Sing'oei spoke in an interview on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, a day after the Ministry of Health confirmed the country's ninth case.

"Level 3 is more of a caution"

The PS played down the impact of the US decision to raise its Kenya travel advisory from Level 2 to Level 3. He said the change does not stop anyone from coming into the country.

"The United States is duty-bound to advise its citizens with respect to decisions that it deems important. Level 3 is more of a caution and there are no implications with respect to barring travellers," Sing'oei said, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke.

The US advisory, issued on 19 October, cites terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and Ebola-related health concerns.

Proportionate measures

Sing'oei described Ebola as a sensitive issue. He said governments must weigh public health against economic consequences and adopt measures proportionate to the real risk of infection.

He warned that heavy-handed restrictions could damage travel, trade, tourism, education and social services, both in Kenya and in partner countries.

Gaps in global surveillance

The PS noted that the patient who brought the virus into Kenya had passed through screening systems in several countries without being detected. That shows, he said, that no country is safe when surveillance systems fail.

"The need for global co-operation to address Ebola has never been greater," he said. He called for better border monitoring and information sharing between states.

Restrictions so far

El Salvador has barred entry to people arriving from or transiting through Kenya and seven other African countries. Israel briefly banned Kenyan travellers in June before reversing the decision after diplomatic protests. The United Kingdom has not changed its advice for Kenya.

At home, the Ministry of Health says all nine confirmed cases belong to one cluster and that the country remains open for travel, trade and public gatherings.

Photo: Kenyans.co.ke