Kenya protests after Israel bans its travellers over Ebola fears
By Mustafa Juma, June 15, 2026Kenya has strongly protested a decision by Israel to restrict travellers from the country over concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, describing the move as unjustified and inconsistent with available public health data.
The protest was issued by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei, who said Kenya has recorded zero confirmed Ebola cases despite extensive surveillance and testing efforts.
Taking to his official X account on Monday, June 15, 2026, Sing’Oei described Kenya’s inclusion on the list as “especially unfortunate,” pointing to the country’s ongoing public health monitoring and preparedness systems.
“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s response to regional health threats has been robust, highlighting surveillance and testing efforts that have included more than 80,000 Ebola tests with no confirmed cases reported.
“This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance & response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” he stated.
Israel issues travel restriction directive
The diplomatic row follows a directive issued to airlines by Israeli authorities requiring the denial of boarding to passengers travelling to Israel from several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.
The directive also bars entry to any foreign national who has visited the listed countries within 21 days prior to travel, regardless of nationality.
Airlines were instructed to screen passengers before boarding and ensure strict compliance with the new restrictions. Israeli citizens and residents are exempted from the measures.
The notice, issued by Israel’s border control authorities, cited concerns over the spread of Ebola as the basis for the precautionary restrictions.
At present, no Ebola cases have been reported in Israel. Officials said the public risk remains low, but they warned that the disease’s high fatality rate and complex treatment needs require continuous readiness.
The directive comes amid renewed global concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, prompting several countries to tighten travel screening measures.
Public health position
Kenya maintains that it has remained vigilant in monitoring Ebola risks through coordinated regional surveillance and response mechanisms.
Health authorities have recently strengthened border screening, laboratory testing capacity, and emergency preparedness in response to outbreaks reported in neighbouring countries.
The government argues that these measures have helped prevent any confirmed Ebola transmission within its borders.