Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola Virus Disease, with the Ministry of Health saying the patient is a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient discovered he was unwell about a month ago while in the DRC, where he sought treatment at several health facilities before travelling back to the region.
According to Duale, the patient travelled from the DRC to Kampala by road before boarding a Jambojet flight to Nairobi, arriving in the country on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
“This patient is a Kenyan citizen who has been living in DRC for the past seven years,” Duale said.
“He found it about a month ago and was taken to several hospitals while still in DRC.”
“Returned from DRC to Kampala by road, then boarded Jambo Jet flight and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday, 3rd October 2026.”
The confirmation comes amid heightened regional concern over the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak, which has been spreading across the DRC. WHO has warned of a high risk of cross-border transmission as the outbreak continues to expand.
Kenya had previously intensified surveillance at airports and border points and strengthened its laboratory and emergency response capacity in anticipation of possible imported cases.
The Ministry of Health is expected to provide further details on the patient’s condition, contacts and measures being taken to prevent further transmission.
