The Ministry of Health has challenged Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend travel from Kenya and halt visa issuance to Kenyan travellers over the Ebola outbreak, describing the measures as excessive and unsupported by scientific evidence.
He said the government was concerned about the measures, arguing that Kenya’s outbreak response did not warrant such restrictions.
The Ministry of Health, Kenya, has noted with concern the extreme measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the Ebola situation in the country. We reiterate that the measures taken are not only excessive but not backed by the current epidemiological situation in the country, the statement read.
The response comes after Saudi Arabia announced a suspension of travel by its citizens to Kenya, halted the issuance of all visa categories to travellers from the country and barred entry into the Kingdom for people arriving from Kenya, including those transiting through other countries.
The Kingdom said the restrictions followed an assessment by its public health authorities and were intended to prevent the virus from spreading across its borders.
Duale maintained that all 135 contacts linked to the imported case had been identified and traced, with 118 placed under quarantine as part of containment efforts.
He said the confirmed infections linked to the initial case had remained within the same cluster, with no evidence of transmission in the wider community and no new infections reported since October 19.
By October 26, Kenya had reported nine confirmed infections and two deaths, prompting intensified contact tracing, testing, surveillance and screening at entry points.
The CS disclosed that five of seven patients undergoing treatment have recorded their first negative Ebola tests and are awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2.
The Ministry said the five patients could be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, in addition to the 20 people who were already released.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is expected to, with Duale calling for international cooperation and support instead of travel limitations and isolation.
According to a diplomatic communication dated October 30 and obtained by, Kenya formally asked Saudi Arabia to review and lift the restrictions, arguing that suspending visas and barring arrivals from the country was disproportionate and unsupported by scientific evidence.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs also urged Saudi Arabia to submit its justification for the measures to the World Health Organisation within 48 hours, as required under the International Health Regulations, and review them within three months.
Kenya, in conjunction with affected countries on the continent, will share its concerns with Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as an example of the disproportionate restrictions to travel and a hostile act against Africa, the ministry stated.