Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr, Korir Sing’oei, has formally protested Israel’s decision to include the country on a list of nations whose citizens and recent visitors face new travel restrictions.
In a statement on June 15, PS Korir said Kenya strongly objects to the travel restrictions move due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, describing it as unfortunate given the country’s role in regional Ebola surveillance and response efforts.
“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travelers it will restrict,” PS Korir said.
PS Korir Defends Kenya’s Public Health Record
Sing’oei noted that Kenya has conducted more than 80,000 Ebola tests and has not recorded a single confirmed case of the disease.
He argued that the restrictions do not reflect the country’s public health situation.
“This is unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance & response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” PS Korir added.
Also Read: Kenya Among Countries to Receive New KSh2.6 Billion for Ebola
Israel Restricts Kenyan Travelers Over Ebola Concerns
Israel has imposed new travel restrictions barring foreign nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo from boarding flights to the country following concerns over the Ebola outbreak.
In a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on June 10, 2026, airlines were instructed to deny boarding to citizens and residents of the five listed countries on all flights to Israel.
“You are required to prevent foreign citizens and residents of the following countries from boarding flights arriving in Israel: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda,” Israel stated.
According to the statement issued, the restrictions also apply to any foreign national, regardless of citizenship or place of residence, who has visited or stayed in any of the affected countries within 21 days prior to their scheduled flight to Israel.
Also Read: Kenya Included in Israel Travel Restrictions Over Ebola Risk
Further, the statement directed airlines to screen all passengers before boarding and to verify whether they had traveled to any of the restricted countries in the previous 21 days.
Passengers who meet the criteria must not be allowed to board flights to Israel, and the directive does not apply to Israeli citizens or Israeli residents, who remain exempt from the travel restrictions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this directive does not apply to Israeli citizens or Israeli residents,” the statement directed.
Israel said the measures took effect immediately upon issuance of the notice and called for strict compliance by all airlines.
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