Kenya has strongly protested a decision by Israel to include the country on a list of nations whose travellers will face restrictions over Ebola concerns, arguing that no case of the deadly virus has been reported within its borders despite extensive surveillance and testing.
The protest follows a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on June 10, instructing airlines not to allow foreign nationals from Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda to board flights destined for Israel.
The directive further bars any foreign national who has visited any of the listed countries within 21 days before travel, regardless of their nationality.
Reacting to the move on Monday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said Kenya had formally objected to the decision, terming it unfair and inconsistent with the country’s record in combating the disease.
“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict. This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance and response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” Sing’Oei said.
The decision places Kenya in the same category as countries currently battling Ebola outbreaks, despite health authorities repeatedly maintaining that the country remains Ebola-free.
Kenya has in recent months heightened screening and surveillance measures at points of entry, including airports and border crossings, amid fears of a regional spread linked to outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.
The government has also stepped up preparedness measures, including quarantine protocols, testing, contact tracing and monitoring of travellers arriving from affected regions.
The latest dispute could trigger diplomatic consultations between Nairobi and Tel Aviv, with Kenyan officials expected to push for a review of the restrictions.
The controversy comes at a time when Kenya has positioned itself as a key player in regional disease surveillance and emergency response efforts, making its inclusion on the list particularly contentious.
For many observers, the question now is whether Israel’s move was based on precaution or whether Kenya has been unfairly grouped together with countries currently reporting active Ebola cases.
