By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 02, 2026 - Kenya is considering imposing a mandatory 21-day quarantine on travellers arriving from Ebola-affected countries as the government steps up measures to keep the deadly virus out of the country.
The move emerged on Tuesday as the Ministry of Health announced a raft of emergency interventions, including daily preparedness meetings, enhanced border surveillance and the activation of emergency operations centres in 26 counties.
Speaking after chairing a high-level meeting of public health departmental heads at Afya House, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said Kenya had heightened its vigilance even though no Ebola case has been confirmed in the country.
"The country remains on high alert in the 26 points of entry and will be giving periodic reports to the country on preparedness," said Ms Muthoni.
She revealed that health authorities were closely monitoring developments in 10 neighbouring countries as part of an expanded regional surveillance strategy.
In a sign of growing concern over the outbreak, the government is weighing a proposal that would require travellers from high-risk countries to undergo quarantine for three weeks before being allowed into Kenya.
"Consequently, the country is mulling over the idea of imposing quarantine on all patients coming from the high-risk countries for a period of 21 days before they are allowed into the country," Ms Muthoni said, adding that the measure is among options being considered to curb the entry and spread of the disease.
The Ministry has already classified 25 counties as either "very high risk" or "high risk" in readiness for any possible outbreak.
The counties listed as very high risk are Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kisumu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Siaya, West Pokot, Turkana, Homa Bay and Migori.
Others categorised as high risk are Vihiga, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Garissa.
The heightened preparedness comes as thousands of travellers continue to enter the country daily through airports and border points.
Fresh figures released by the Ministry indicate that 13,548 travellers were screened in the last 24 hours alone, bringing the cumulative number screened to nearly 67,000.
"At all border points, including the country's airports, surveillance and screening have been enhanced," Ms Muthoni said.
She added: "Over 1,000 health officers have been trained and are ready to respond to any case."
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The Principal Secretary said the government had also approved the formation of specialised teams involving both national and county government officials to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms across the country.
"The team that met this morning has sanctioned the formation of key teams with critical representation from the counties in efforts to have preparedness at all levels," she said.
According to the Ministry, emergency operation centres in 26 counties have already been activated to deal with any eventuality should a suspected Ebola case be detected.
The government has further advised Kenyans, including public officials, to avoid unnecessary travel to affected countries as health authorities race to contain the threat.
"Kenyans, including Government officials, have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel to the affected countries for at least some time to allow for better containment," Ms Muthoni said.
In another layer of protection, Kenya plans to tighten travel requirements by demanding additional health documentation from incoming travellers.
"Kenya will now also demand exit surveillance reports for all travellers into the country, certified by authorities from the origin country, as well as a detailed screening report that must be shared with the airlines they have travelled with, or the bus companies from neighbouring nations," she said.
The Ministry has also committed to intensifying contact tracing and screening at all entry points while gathering critical data to support rapid response efforts.
"There is an express commitment on the Government's part to screen and trace all persons who have come into the country at all border points while getting vital data that would enable the country deal with the rapidly mutating zoonotic Ebola virus," Ms Muthoni said.
As anxiety grows across the region, health officials say public awareness will remain a key pillar of Kenya's defence strategy.
"As at now, the Ministry says it would be sensitising Kenyans through different platforms, increasing community awareness while at the same time calling on them to exercise basic hygiene protocols like minimising contact," the PS said.
With daily emergency meetings now underway and border surveillance intensified, the government says it is determined to keep the virus out of Kenya while maintaining readiness for any eventuality.