Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that Kenya has successfully traced all 135 people who came into contact with the country’s first Ebola patient, as the government intensifies efforts to contain the outbreak and secure the lifting of travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Duale said the Ministry of Health had achieved 100 per cent contact tracing, describing the development as a major milestone in the country’s Ebola response.
The 135 individuals identified include passengers and crew members who travelled alongside the index patient, airport employees, immigration and customs officers, healthcare workers and family members who interacted with the patient.
“We have done 100 per cent contact tracing. The only country that did is Kenya. Kenya should be appreciated, should be globally celebrated, not condemned through travel,” Duale told the committee.
The Health CS disclosed that 45 healthcare workers were among the 135 identified contacts currently under quarantine as authorities continue monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
He further revealed that Kenyan authorities had managed to trace an individual who travelled with the index patient before proceeding to Mogadishu, Somalia.
According to Duale, the government had also notified countries through which the patient and other contacts travelled, in compliance with international health regulations.
Duale Appeals to Saudi Arabia to Lift Kenya Travel Restrictions
During his appearance before lawmakers, Duale defended Kenya’s management of the Ebola outbreak, arguing that the country’s surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures had helped strengthen efforts to prevent further transmission.
He also criticised travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia following the outbreak, arguing that blanket travel bans were not consistent with international public health recommendations.
Duale revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had formally engaged Saudi authorities over the restrictions, with diplomatic efforts underway to have the measures reviewed and lifted.
He said the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Kenyan Ministry of Health had also reached out to Saudi authorities.
“WHO has spoken for us to the Saudi government. The African CDC has spoken for us. Myself, I have spoken to the Minister for Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The CS added that Saudi Arabia was reviewing its travel advisory, expressing optimism that the diplomatic engagements would result in a favourable outcome for Kenya.
He maintained that international health recommendations prioritise disease surveillance, early detection and effective containment rather than imposing blanket travel restrictions.
Duale Defends Ebola Regulations Introduced Without Public Participation
The Health Cabinet Secretary also defended the government’s decision to introduce Ebola prevention and control regulations without following the conventional public participation process.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee, Duale cited Section 5A(2) of the Public Health Act, arguing that the urgency of the outbreak required immediate government intervention to protect Kenyans.
He said the law gave the Health Cabinet Secretary powers to introduce necessary regulations when dealing with an urgent public health threat.
“We are dealing with a serious public health threat, so the luxury to go around, put in newspapers, go ask people what is your view, how do we do this, the Public Health Act and Section 5A gives me, as a Minister of Health, the powers to bring the regulations,” he stated.
The CS maintained that delaying the regulations to undertake the ordinary public participation process could undermine the government’s response to the outbreak.
Government Assures Kenyans of Proper Care for Ebola Contacts
Duale also assured lawmakers that people placed under quarantine were receiving adequate accommodation, food, medical attention and continuous monitoring.
He revealed that each individual under quarantine had been allocated a separate room to minimise the risk of transmission, with additional infection prevention measures implemented at isolation facilities.
Healthcare workers handling patients and individuals suspected of having been exposed to the virus had also received specialised training and appropriate personal protective equipment.
The Ministry of Health has further trained healthcare personnel on safe burial procedures to reduce the risk of Ebola transmission during the handling of bodies.
On cross-border movements, Duale explained that the index patient had travelled approximately 3,000 kilometres from western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Nairobi, highlighting the challenges health authorities face in monitoring movements across different countries.
He also noted that Rwanda had initially closed its border following the outbreak but later reopened it.
Duale Hints at Good News From Ebola Patients and Contacts
Towards the end of his appearance before the committee, Duale hinted at encouraging developments involving patients undergoing treatment and individuals currently in quarantine.
Although he did not provide further details, the CS suggested that the government expected to share positive updates with Kenyans regarding the situation.
“We have good news in regards to our patients and those in quarantine. It will be good news for the country,” he told the committee.
The government has maintained that surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures remain in place as health authorities continue monitoring the Ebola situation.
Kenya is also hoping that its response efforts and ongoing diplomatic engagements will persuade Saudi Arabia to review and lift the travel restrictions imposed following the outbreak.
