Kenya has said it remains safe for visitors after confirming its first Ebola case, while the United States and United Kingdom have each issued fresh travel advisories.
The UK government urged travellers to follow Kenyan health guidance and check entry requirements, whereas the US Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns said Kenya is well equipped, citing advanced isolation facilities and contact-tracing capability, and added that the US does not anticipate a travel restriction at present.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano described the Ebola incident involving a Kenyan resident of the Democratic Republic of Congo as “an isolated incident” and said agencies are strengthening precautionary measures, including work with the Ministry of Health and the Resilience and Crisis Management Centre for Tourism at Kenyatta University.
Miano also affirmed that “no effort and vigilance will be spared to ensure that Kenya continues to remain a safe destination” during the opening of the 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi.
The World Health Organization’s Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus advised against any travel or trade restrictions for Kenya, the DRC and Uganda, stating that the agency is supporting the three countries with contact tracing, surveillance and screening.
Mike Macharia, chief executive of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, said the development is a concern but has not led to cancellations, adding that the industry has confidence in Kenya’s public health response mechanisms.
Kenya recorded 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, generating roughly KSh500 billion, while domestic travel reached a record 5.2 million, and the government is targeting 5.5 million international arrivals by 2028.
At the expo, Miano highlighted the theme “Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of Tourism”, noting participation from more than 40 countries, over 10,000 delegates and more than 250 vetted international buyers.
She also said Kenya can no longer rely solely on wildlife and beach tourism, adding that the expanding focus on MICE, sports tourism, adventure, culture, wellness and business travel is opening new markets and reasons to visit.
Principal Secretary for Tourism Julius Bitok said infrastructure investment and upcoming events such as the co-hosted 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2029 World Athletics Championships give the sector a bright future, estimating about one million visitors to Nairobi during the month-long AFCON tournament.
Uganda’s State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki called for stronger regional tourism cooperation, urging policymakers to address non-tariff barriers and improve intra-African air connectivity to boost growth.
