President William Ruto shelved a planned visit to Congo-Brazzaville on May 26, 2026, after the Ministry of Health raised concerns over the escalating Ebola outbreak.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale disclosed the details before the Milimani High Court in Nairobi as he defended the government's decision to proceed with the construction of an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase despite a court order halting the project.
Duale revealed that the President, who was also expected to travel to France for the G7 Summit earlier this month, abandoned the Congo trip after being informed that he would be required to undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon his return.
Addressing the court, the Health CS said the decision followed technical advice from the Director-General of Health and other public health experts.
According to Duale, health officials advised that the Head of State would be subjected to a compulsory three-week quarantine if he went ahead with the visit.
The guidance, he explained, was issued in line with constitutional and public health obligations under Article 153(2), which governs executive actions on matters of national importance. He added that the move demonstrated the government's commitment to observing health regulations.
Duale stressed that quarantine requirements applied to all individuals, including senior government officials, in efforts to safeguard public health.
Rather than travelling, President Ruto addressed the event virtually from State House. Members of the advance team who had already been involved in preparations for the trip were later placed under quarantine for 21 days after returning to Kenya.
“He acted on our advice, and the president delivered his speech virtually; it is not to say that those from the State House,” Duale told the court.
The CS reiterated that the government's actions underscored strict compliance with health measures, noting that even top-ranking state officers were not exempt from protocols aimed at preventing the spread of disease.
“Those who were his advanced team as part of the presidential delegation upon their return were quarantined for a period of 21 days in one of our quarantine stations,” Duale said.
As of June 23, Congo-Brazzaville had not recorded any Ebola infections. However, a cross-border outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus continues to affect neighbouring countries, particularly parts of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
