Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola virus disease after a Kenyan national who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain in Nairobi.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the case on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, saying the patient had arrived in Kenya through Uganda on Saturday, October 3. The patient later died while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient had been living and working in the DRC for about seven years. He fell ill while in the country and received treatment at several health facilities before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda.
From Kampala, he boarded a Jambojet flight to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday afternoon. He underwent routine public health screening at the airport before proceeding through immigration.
The patient was later taken to Nairobi Hospital by relatives and friends. He was isolated after presenting with symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing and bleeding beneath the skin.
Laboratory tests conducted by the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed Ebola infection.
The patient was placed on supportive treatment but died at about 11:30pm on Monday, October 5.
Health authorities have identified 28 contacts linked to the case, including relatives and healthcare workers. Officials are also tracing passengers and crew who travelled on the same flight as part of efforts to establish potential exposure and prevent further transmission.
The confirmed case comes as the DRC continues to battle an outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola. The outbreak has raised concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission, given the movement of people between the DRC, Uganda and Kenya.
Kenya had stepped up disease surveillance and preparedness at points of entry following the outbreak in the DRC, particularly along the country’s borders with Uganda and other neighbouring countries.
The Ministry of Health has urged members of the public to remain vigilant as health officials intensify surveillance, contact tracing and other containment measures following the country’s first confirmed Ebola case.
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