Kenya protests travel restrictions imposed by Israel over Ebola virus

In a circular on June 10, Israel listed Kenya among countries with travel restrictions following the recent outbreak of Ebola disease. Other countries listed include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. 

Israel prohibited its immigration body from boarding foreign passengers from the said countries on Israel-bound flights. 

In a social media post on Monday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei expressed displeasure with Israel’s decision. Sing’oei argued that Kenya had not reported any Ebola cases.  

“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict. This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support for regional surveillance & response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” wrote Sing’oei. 

In its notice to immigration officials, the Israeli government also said “boarding on flights to Israel must be denied to any foreign national who has stayed in or visited any of the countries listed above during the 21 days prior to the flight date, regardless of their citizenship or country of residence.”

Airlines were further told to question every foreign passenger before boarding. This is meant to verify whether they have stayed in any of the restricted countries 21 days before the notice period. 

“If the answer is affirmative, they must not be permitted to board the flight to Israel,” it said. 

While its regional neighbours have reported cases of the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, Kenya is yet to report any confirmed infections. 

As of June 13, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there were 695 confirmed cases of Ebola, 676 from the DRC and 19 from Uganda. 138 deaths (2 from Uganda) had been reported, while at least 37 people had recovered from the disease.

Despite recording Ebola cases, Kenya is host to a U.S.-backed 50-bed Ebola quarantine and treatment facility that is being constructed at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki. 

The center is intended to treat American citizens and personnel exposed to the virus during the ongoing outbreak in DRC.