Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola death after a Kenyan man who travelled from DR Congo through Kampala died at Nairobi Hospital.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Tuesday, that the man had lived in DR Congo for seven years. He fell ill about a month ago and sought treatment there before travelling by road to Kampala.
He flew from Uganda to Nairobi on October 3, 2026, and died late on October 5 while undergoing treatment. Tests confirmed the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
The patient underwent health screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before a relative took him to hospital. Medical staff isolated him after he presented with fever, chills, fatigue and bleeding beneath the skin.
Kenya’s director-general of health, Patrick Amoth, said medication may have concealed his symptoms during airport screening.
Authorities have identified 28 contacts, including relatives and health workers. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on his flight from Uganda.
His journey has raised concerns about possible exposure along the route. However, Kenyan officials have reported no other confirmed cases.
“We have continued to maintain, as a country, a high level of alert for Ebola since the outbreak began in May,” Duale said.
Authorities planned to bury the patient under procedures designed to prevent further transmission.
DR Congo is battling a major outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola. Uganda recorded 20 cases and two deaths linked to the outbreak before declaring it over in August.
The World Health Organisation says the virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Symptoms can develop between two and 21 days after exposure.
