President William Ruto skipped a planned trip to Congo-Brazzaville in May 2026 after health officials warned that he could face a mandatory 21-day Ebola quarantine on his return to Kenya.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed the details while appearing before the Milimani High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The CS defended the government’s decision to continue building an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase despite legal challenges and public criticism.

According to Duale, President William Ruto had planned to attend the Congo Basin Commission conference in Brazzaville on May 26, 2026. However, the Ministry of Health advised him not to travel because of the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the region.

“The president, my lady, on the 26th of May 2026, was going to attend a conference in Brazzaville, Congo, or Congo Brazzaville, the Congo Basin Commission,” Duale told the court.

“However, as the Minister for Health, acting on the technical advice of the Director General and other technical persons, and in line with the Constitution under Article 153(2), we advised the president against travelling otherwise, upon his return, we could quarantine him for 21 days.”

Ruto’s staff quarantined for 21 days

Duale said President Ruto accepted the advice and delivered his speech virtually instead of travelling to Congo-Brazzaville.

“He acted on our advice, and the president delivered his speech virtually,” Duale added.

The Health CS also disclosed that members of the president’s advance team who had already travelled to Congo-Brazzaville later entered quarantine after returning to Kenya.

“It is notable to say that those from State House, who were his advance team to Congo Brazzaville as part of the presidential delegation, upon their return, were quarantined for a period of 21 days in one of our quarantine stations,” he said.

Quarantine facility debate

The remarks came as the government defended the construction of an Ebola quarantine and isolation facility at Laikipia Airbase. The project has sparked debate among residents and leaders in Nanyuki, with some questioning the need for the facility and raising safety concerns.

Kenya has remained on high alert following the Ebola outbreak reported in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda. Health authorities have increased screening at airports and border points to stop possible infections from entering the country.

Although Congo-Brazzaville has not reported confirmed Ebola cases, Kenyan health officials treated the regional situation as a serious public health risk because of cross-border movement within Central and East Africa.

The Ministry of Health says the 21-day quarantine period follows international Ebola monitoring guidelines. Ebola can take several days before symptoms appear, making quarantine an important step in controlling the spread of the virus.

The government has repeatedly stated that Kenya has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases. Officials continue to train health workers, prepare isolation centres and monitor travellers arriving from affected regions.