Saudi Arabia Imposes Travel Ban on Kenya as Ebola Cases Rise to Nine
Saudi Arabia has imposed a total travel ban on Kenya and suspended all visa categories following the confirmation of nine Ebola cases in the country.
The move by the Saudi Public Health Authority prohibits Saudi citizens from travelling to Kenya and bars anyone arriving from Kenya, including transit passengers through third countries, from entering the Kingdom.
The restrictions threaten to disrupt travel and economic ties between the two nations, impacting migrant workers, business travellers, and religious pilgrims. Saudi health officials stated that the measures follow a detailed epidemiological risk assessment aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.
According to the Kingdom, the decision forms part of a broader infectious disease management strategy initiated in July 2019 and tightened in May 2026. Saudi Arabia previously suspended travel from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan in June 2026.
Kenya confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo on 6 October 2026. The index case involved a Kenyan man who had travelled from the DRC through Uganda. He arrived in Nairobi on 3 October and was admitted to Nairobi Hospital, where he died on 5 October.
The outbreak has since spread to eight other people, comprising four family members of the initial patient and four healthcare workers who managed his treatment.
By 26 October, Kenya had recorded nine confirmed cases and two fatalities. The second death occurred in a 65-year-old woman, who was the third patient to test positive and a close relative of the first victim.
In response, the Ministry of Health has stepped up contact tracing, laboratory testing, public surveillance, and screening procedures at all official points of entry.
Health officials have instructed members of the public to report any suspected Ebola symptoms or emergencies using the toll-free line 719, USSD code *719#, or via WhatsApp on 0700 719 719.
