Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale informed the High Court that President William Ruto withdrew a planned May visit to the Republic of Congo after receiving expert advice on Ebola risks in the area.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Duale explained that the President was slated to attend the Brazzaville Conference on 26 May 2026. Following consultations with Director‑General Dr. Patrick Amoth and other technical specialists, Duale advised the Head of State against travel, citing potential exposure and the need for a mandatory 21‑day quarantine upon return.
The Secretary said the recommendation complied with Article 153(2) of the Constitution, which obliges Cabinet Secretaries to counsel the President on matters within their portfolios. He added that President Ruto accepted the advice and instead delivered his address virtually.
Duale also disclosed that members of the presidential advance team who had already gone to Congo were required to undergo a 21‑day quarantine when they returned, demonstrating the government’s strict adherence to public‑health protocols.
He stressed that the measures highlighted the seriousness of the Ebola threat and reinforced Kenya’s overall preparedness to prevent the disease’s spread.
The remarks were made while the court continued to hear arguments regarding the government’s Ebola strategy and the setup of quarantine facilities.
Duale, who appeared in court to seek mitigation before sentencing for a previous contempt ruling over an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki, maintain that the facility’s location at a military airbase and its stringent access protocols significantly limit the risk of community exposure.
He explained that soldiers on rotation in Congo frequently travel to Nairobi on the annual schedule or for family leave, and that any incident of disease could lead to flight cancellations and travel bans, as recently seen with Israel.
Overall, Duale argued that an isolated treatment facility for any infected personnel would protect both patients and the broader community.