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Kenya has formally asked Riyadh to review and lift the Saudi Arabia travel ban on Kenya, which halts visas for travellers from the country and bars anyone who has been in Kenya in the previous 21 days. In a diplomatic note dated October 30, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs called the measures “disproportionate and not supported by scientific health evidence”, warning they will hurt Kenyan workers, pilgrims, students, trade and tourism.
Saudi Arabia announced the travel ban on Friday, October 30, over the Ebola outbreak in Kenya. A day later, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale issued a statement describing them as “not only excessive but not backed by the current epidemiological situation in the country”.
What the Saudi Arabia travel ban covers
Based on the Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya) measures reported by the Saudi Gazette on October 31, the restrictions include:
- suspending travel by Saudi citizens to Kenya;
- halting the issuance of all types of visas to travellers from Kenya and barring their entry into the Kingdom;
- barring travellers arriving through third countries if they stayed in Kenya, or other countries with Ebola outbreaks, in the 21 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabia travel ban on Kenya mirrors curbs the Kingdom imposed in June 2026 on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda has since cleared 60 contacts of the Kenyan traveller linked to the outbreak.
Kenya’s case: nine cases, one cluster
The foreign ministry note, reference MFDA/SFDA/REL/129 Vol. 37, says: “Kenya has contained its imported outbreak. All 9 cases belong to one cluster linked to the imported case and every secondary case was already in quarantine when they fell ill. There is no community transmission.”
The Ministry of Health’s October 31 statement gives this breakdown:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Contacts of the index case traced | 135 (100%) |
| Contacts placed under quarantine | 118 |
| Confirmed cases linked to the index case | 8 (4 health workers, 4 close family members) |
| Deaths | 2 (the index case and one other patient) |
| Patients still under care | 7, of whom 5 have had a first negative test |
| Last new case | October 19, 2026 |
| Expected discharge | Tuesday, November 3, with 46 contacts leaving quarantine |
A second test for the five patients is scheduled for Monday, November 2. The ministry said 20 contacts had already been released from quarantine. The foreign ministry added that the World Health Organization “advised against any travel or trade restrictions” and rates the risk outside the DRC and its neighbours as low.
Why the Saudi Arabia travel ban matters for business
The note argues that “suspending visas and barring anyone who has been in Kenya in the last 21 days is a blanket, punitive measure”. It adds: “It will hurt Kenyan pilgrims, workers in the Kingdom, students, trade and tourism, and it penalises a country that has been transparent and has notified WHO within 24 hours.”
For now, the Saudi Arabia travel ban means no new visas for travellers from Kenya. Job seekers with pending Saudi offers should keep to agencies licensed by the National Employment Authority and check the legal caps on recruitment agency fees before paying anything. Our guide to jobs in Saudi Arabia for Kenyans covers visas and safety checks, and jobinkenya.co.ke has a guide to the legal route to Gulf jobs.
What Kenya has asked for
On the Saudi Arabia travel ban itself, the note asks Saudi authorities to “review and lift the Measures”. It also urges Saudi Arabia’s National Focal Point to write to WHO, as required by Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005), explaining measures that significantly interfere with international traffic within 48 hours, and to review them within three months. Kenya says it will raise the matter with Africa CDC and is ready to brief the Saudi Public Health Authority.
“What we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” CS Duale said. The ministry said the Foreign Affairs ministry will keep engaging the Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Saudi Arabia impose a travel ban on Kenya?
Saudi Arabia cited the risk from Kenya’s Ebola outbreak. It announced the measures on October 30, 2026.
Does the Saudi Arabia travel ban apply to travellers using other countries?
Yes. As reported, travellers arriving through third countries are barred if they stayed in Kenya in the 21 days before reaching Saudi Arabia.
How many Ebola cases has Kenya recorded?
Nine cases in one cluster, including the imported index case, with two deaths. The Ministry of Health says there has been no new case since October 19, 2026.
What has Kenya asked Saudi Arabia to do?
To review and lift the measures, explain them to WHO within 48 hours under the International Health Regulations, and review them within three months.
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