KENYA REACHES A KEY EBOLA MILESTONE: BUSINESS EVENTS CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE
Association for Kenya Business Events (AKBE), Nairobi, Kenya, 12 November 2026
The Association for Kenya Business Events (AKBE) welcomes yesterday’s news that Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient after full recovery. Kenya now has no patient under treatment, no contacts in quarantine and no evidence of community transmission. The final group of monitored contacts has also completed the required follow-up period.
We congratulate the Ministry of Health, county health teams, frontline health workers and our partners at the World Health Organization and UNICEF for a fast, professional response
The facts
Kenya confirmed nine cases of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease). All were linked to a single imported case connected to travel from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda. Seven patients recovered. Two patients sadly died, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families.
Kenya has not yet been formally declared Ebola-free. In line with World Health Organization guidance, a 42-day countdown begins today, on 12 November 2026. If no new case is recorded in this period, Kenya is expected to be declared Ebola-free on 23 December 2026.
What this means for Kenya’s business events industry
This is encouraging news for everyone who earns a living from meetings, conferences, incentives and exhibitions (MICE) in Kenya, from venues and hotels to destination management companies, event planners, caterers, transport providers, airlines and audiovisual crews.
The outbreak was detected early, traced fully and contained without spreading into the community. That is exactly what international organisers want to see from a host destination: a health system that works under pressure. Kenya has shown that it does.
The Government has confirmed that Kenya remains open for travel, trade, tourism and business. AKBE therefore encourages its members and the wider industry to:
- Resume planning with confidence. Reopen conversations with clients and associations who paused their plans.
- Share the facts. Use official Ministry of Health and WHO updates when talking to clients, so they hear clear and accurate information rather than rumour.
- Keep sensible precautions in place. Follow Ministry of Health guidance, keep hygiene stations and on-site health support at events, and know how to refer anyone who feels unwell.
To the visitors and organisers who cancelled or postponed
We understand why you paused, and we thank you for your patience. Today we say clearly: Kenya is open, and you are welcome back. Karibu Kenya.
If you postponed a conference, a meeting, an incentive trip or an exhibition, we invite you to put it back on the calendar. AKBE and its members stand ready to help you reschedule, rebook venues and rebuild your programme with as little disruption as possible.
Your delegates will find the same warmth, world-class venues and professional service that have made Kenya one of Africa’s leading business events destinations.
Staying vigilant
The Ebola outbreak is still ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, so the risk of new cases arriving in Kenya remains real. The Ministry of Health will maintain heightened surveillance across all counties, screen travellers at points of entry and provide follow-up care to survivors. AKBE will continue to monitor official updates and share them with members and partners.
Anyone who develops fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, especially after travel to an affected area, should seek medical attention early and call the toll-free health line 719, or Call/SMS/Chat: +254 700 719 719 (A dedicated Ebola information hotline)
“Kenya’s health system has done its job, and done it well. Now it is our turn. To every association, organiser and delegate who stepped back during this outbreak: the doors are open, the venues are ready, and every guest is welcome. We look forward to hosting you.”
Jeffers Miruka, Secretary General, Association for Kenya Business Events (AKBE)
Ends.
Media contact: media@akbe.or.ke
References
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Kenya’s last Ebola patient goes home as 42-day countdown begins. 11 November 2026. https://afro.who.int/countries/kenya/news/kenyas-last-ebola-patient-goes-home-42-day-countdown-begins
- BBC News. Kenya discharges last Ebola patient in key milestone to being declared free of the virus. 11 November 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwe9kzv0g0v7o
- The East African. Kenya discharges last Ebola patient, begins countdown to Ebola-free declaration. 11 November 2026. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/sustainability/health/ebola-kenya-health-ministry-5667116
- Associated Press. Kenya discharges last Ebola patient, beginning countdown to being free. 11 November 2026. https://www.dailybreeze.com/2026/11/11/kenya-discharges-last-ebola-patient/
- Standard Media. Kenya begins 42-day countdown to Ebola-free status. 11 November 2026. https://airtime.standardmedia.co.ke/business/amp/health-science/article/2001562034/kenya-begins-42-day-countdown-to-ebola-free-status
- Kenya Ministry of Health. CS Duale, UNICEF Review Kenya’s Ebola Response and Strengthen Health Emergency Preparedness. https://www.health.go.ke/cs-duale-unicef-review-kenyas-ebola-response-and-strengthen-health-emergency-preparedness