The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that closing Kenya’s borders over fears of Ebola could make it harder for health officials to screen travellers and identify people at risk of infection.
WHO Country Representative in Kenya Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo said on Wednesday, October 14, that shutting official crossing points could push travellers to use unofficial routes where health screening may not be available.
“Our borders are very porous. If we close the borders, people will use unofficial borders, and you will not be able to screen,” she said during a High-Level Media Engagement and National Outbreak Reporting Workshop.
Kimambo said keeping official entry points open would give health officials a better chance of identifying suspected cases while allowing economic activities to continue.
She urged travellers to use designated border points where screening can be carried out and people who may have been exposed to the virus identified.
“Better use official borders so that you can do the screening and pick up those at risk,” she said.
WHO has advised countries against imposing travel and trade restrictions on Ebola-affected countries where such measures are not supported by evidence. Instead, the organisation recommends surveillance, early identification of suspected cases and testing to help prevent further transmission.
Kenya Steps Up Ebola Surveillance
Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case on October 6, 2026, involving a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the report, the patient travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi on October 3. The patient was admitted to hospital and died on October 5.
The case raised questions about how the infected traveller crossed several borders before the infection was confirmed.
After the confirmation of this case, the Ministry of Health increased the surveillance, screening, and contact tracing process so as to determine whether there was any spread of the virus to individuals who may have been in contact with the patient.
The Government has also located isolation centers in 27 risky counties, increasing the readiness among the health practitioners.
The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected individual.
There is no vaccine or medication that exists that can treat the disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
On the other hand, Laikipia County Executive Committee Member for Health, Albert Taiti, stated that the two suspected cases of Ebola in the county had turned out negative after testing, hence reducing fear after there were allegations of possible infection of the disease in Nanyuki.
