President William Ruto cancelled a planned presidential visit to Congo-Brazzaville on May 26, 2026, following a warning from the Ministry of Health over the growing Ebola outbreak.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Health CS Aden Duale made the revelations before the Milimani High Court in Nairobi while defending the government's decision to continue building an Ebola Quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase despite a court order barring the development.

According to Duale, Ruto, who had planned to visit France for the G7 summit earlier this month, was forced to cancel his trip to the Congo after learning of the mandatory 21-day quarantine period.

Speaking on the matter, CS Duale said the decision was made following technical guidance from the Director-General of Health and other experts.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to CS Duale, together with the experts, they warned that the President would have been subjected to a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon his return if he proceeded with the travel.

The advisory, according to Duale, was issued in line with constitutional and public health considerations under Article 153(2), which guides executive decision-making on matters of national interest. CS Duale noted that the decision reflected strict adherence to health protocols at the time.

Duale emphasised that even high-level state officials were subject to quarantine measures designed to prevent potential public health risks.

Instead of travelling, President Ruto delivered his address virtually from the State House. Members of his advance team who had been part of the planned delegation were later placed under a 21-day quarantine upon returning to the country.

“He acted on our advice, and the president delivered his speech virtually; it is not to say that those from the State House,” CS Duale stated.

CS Duale noted that the decision reflected strict adherence to health protocols at the time, emphasising that even high-level state officials were subject to quarantine measures to prevent potential public health risks.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke