PS Sing’Oei Rejects Israel’s Ebola-Linked Travel Restrictions on Kenya

Kenya has formally protested Israel’s decision to impose travel restrictions on passengers arriving from Kenya and several other African countries over Ebola-related concerns.

The restrictions were announced by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on 10 June. Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, rejected the country’s inclusion on the list in a statement issued on 15 June. He said the decision failed to reflect Kenya’s strong public health record and extensive disease surveillance measures.

“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict,” Sing’Oei said. 

He noted that Kenya has conducted more than 80,000 Ebola tests without recording a single confirmed case. Under the Israeli directive, airlines must deny boarding to foreign nationals who have visited Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo within 21 days before travelling to Israel. 

Carriers are required to check passengers’ recent travel histories before departure and prevent eligible travellers from boarding. The restrictions do not apply to Israeli citizens or residents.

Kenya maintains that its health systems remain effective and that active disease surveillance continues across the country in cooperation with regional partners. Government officials say Kenya plays an important role in cross-border monitoring and preparedness efforts aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.

Israel introduced the measures amid increased international vigilance following reports of Ebola cases in parts of Africa. Kenya argues that including countries with no confirmed infections risks creating a misleading impression of their public health situation.

Officials in Nairobi have also raised concerns about the potential impact on travel, trade and diplomatic relations. They say the restrictions could undermine confidence in Kenya’s health infrastructure despite the country’s continued efforts to support regional disease prevention and monitoring initiatives.

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to regional health security and called for recognition of its disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness measures.