Aden Duale rules out border closure as Kenya steps up Ebola surveillance
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 4, 2026Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ruled out the closure of Kenya’s borders despite ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, affirming that the government will instead strengthen surveillance, screening, quarantine measures, and contact tracing in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Duale has emphasised that Kenya’s response is being guided by international public health protocols rather than restrictive border closures.
“We are not going to close our borders; it is against WHO rules. We’ll screen and do contact tracing instead. There are some Kenyans who came from Congo-Brazzaville, and we’ve quarantined them for seven days. To make sure the incubation period is over and every morning and evening they are checked,” Duale said.
Duale has noted that the government has already taken precautionary measures by placing travellers arriving from Congo-Brazzaville under a seven-day quarantine to monitor their health and ensure they do not develop symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
According to the CS, the government has intensified screening at points of entry, including airports and border crossings, while public health teams continue to conduct contact tracing and surveillance to detect and contain any potential cases quickly.
Kenya’s preparedness
Kenya has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases despite heightened concern over outbreaks in neighbouring countries. Health officials have maintained that the country’s preparedness systems remain on high alert, with rapid response teams deployed and laboratories equipped to test suspected cases.
The cabinet secretary has said that the government’s approach aligns with WHO recommendations, which discourage blanket border closures during disease outbreaks, arguing that such measures can disrupt trade, travel, and humanitarian operations without necessarily preventing the spread of disease.
Duale has further assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring developments in the region and working with international partners to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.
The remarks from the Cabinet secretary come amid growing concern over Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of the DRC and Uganda, prompting countries across the region to review and enhance their disease surveillance systems.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant, observe hygiene measures, and promptly report any symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding, especially among individuals with recent travel history to affected areas.