The Ministry of Health has suspended all meetings, seminars and conferences organised by the ministry in hotels following the confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni issued the directive in a memo dated Wednesday, October 7, ordering heads of directorates, divisions and programmes to stop the gatherings immediately until further notice.
The directive allows exceptions, but any department seeking to hold a meeting in a hotel must first obtain approval from the PS’s office.
The ministry said the move was part of measures to strengthen preparedness and response following the confirmation of the Ebola case on October 6.
“Following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, the State Department is prioritising emergency preparedness, contact tracing and response measures,” the memo stated.
“Accordingly, all meetings, seminars and conferences scheduled to be held in hotels are suspended with immediate effect from Wednesday, 7th October 2026, until further notice,” it added.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, October 10, Muthoni said the government was increasing its vigilance and preparing for any eventualities.
The suspension comes days after a Kenyan who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after being admitted to Nairobi Hospital. The case was confirmed as Kenya’s first imported Ebola infection.
The patient reportedly fell ill while in the DRC before travelling through Uganda to Nairobi, where he arrived on October 3 and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the confirmation, health officials began tracing people who may have come into contact with the patient. The report indicated that 57 contacts had been identified.
Meanwhile, State House has introduced enhanced health protocols as the government steps up precautions against the spread of the disease.
Images shared on Friday, October 9, showed Cabinet Secretaries sanitising their hands before entering State House for a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto.
Earlier in the week, guests attending a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) graduation ceremony at State House also underwent health screening conducted by Nairobi City County health officials.
The Ministry of Health has urged its departments to observe safety procedures as it strengthens emergency preparedness and contact tracing following the imported case.