Kenya has been included among eight African countries whose nationals face entry restrictions in El Salvador over concerns about the spread of Ebola, raising uncertainty for Kenyan travellers planning to visit the Central American nation.
El Salvador’s Ministry of Health announced the measures, barring nationals of Kenya, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda.
The restrictions extend to countries where no Ebola cases have been reported, with authorities targeting travellers arriving from or transiting through the affected nations.
The directive means Kenyans intending to travel to El Salvador could be denied entry under the new measures, which have drawn attention following the rejection of a special entry permit application by CNN journalist Larry Madowo.
Madowo disclosed the decision on Tuesday, October 21, explaining that his Kenyan nationality had been cited in connection with the Ebola-related restrictions.
The journalist said he had planned to return to El Salvador, a country he had visited previously, where he also met President Nayib Bukele.
“I've just been denied a visa because of Ebola. This was by El Salvador and that was when Kenya had eight Ebola cases. But they're not just banning citizens of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where this outbreak began,” Madowo stated.
He added that he had intended to volunteer in El Salvador this year but would no longer pursue the plan following the rejection of his application over the health concerns.
Legal Grounds for El Salvador's Decision
Documents and screenshots reviewed by Vantage Ke indicate that El Salvador based the restrictions on Article 13, paragraph three, of its Special Law on Migration and Foreigners.
The provision was cited in a directive instructing immigration authorities to deny entry to individuals arriving from or transiting through the eight affected African countries.
The decision referenced an official communication from the country's Ministry of Health, signed by Dr Francisco José Alabí Montoya, who serves as the country's Minister of Health.
“In that regard, it is pertinent to consider the provisions of Official Letter No. 2026-6000-055, signed by Dr. Francisco José Alabí Montoya, in his capacity as Honorary Minister of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of El Salvador, which establishes, with binding effect, that "any person who comes from or has transited through the nations of Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, will be declared inadmissible and will be denied entry to the country," the document stated in part.
The directive places Kenya among the countries affected by El Salvador's preventive health measures, regardless of whether individual travellers have been exposed to the virus.
Kenya Confirms Ninth Ebola Case
The development comes as Kenya confirmed its ninth Ebola case on October 21, prompting renewed attention to international travel measures targeting the country.
Several nations have either introduced restrictions or issued warnings linked to Ebola concerns, although their responses have differed.
In June, Israel temporarily imposed an entry ban on Kenyan nationals over Ebola-related concerns. However, the restrictions affecting Kenya and Rwanda were lifted days later following diplomatic protests.
The United States also raised its travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3, advising travellers to reconsider visits because of Ebola-related health concerns and existing security warnings.
The advisory adds to the growing international scrutiny of Kenya as authorities continue responding to the outbreak. The United Kingdom, however, ruled out introducing travel restrictions or revising its general travel advice for Kenya.
British authorities cited Kenya's response to the outbreak, including the isolation of suspected cases and contact-tracing measures, as part of the reasons for maintaining the existing approach.
The differing responses highlight how governments are assessing the risks associated with Ebola while balancing public health precautions and international travel.
For Kenyan travellers, El Salvador's decision introduces an additional hurdle, with entry restrictions applying to people coming from or transiting through the listed countries under the directive.
