Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on November 11, 2026, that Kenya's last confirmed Ebola patient has been discharged after testing negative. The announcement marks the beginning of a 42-day period during which the country will remain under observation before potentially being declared Ebola-free.
Duale stated that the patient, who had been in isolation, has completed the required quarantine period and is now considered cleared. This follows a series of successful containment efforts by Kenya’s health authorities. The discharge comes after the country reported no new cases for several weeks.
Earlier, on November 12, 2026, former Chief Justice David Maraga criticized the government’s approach to quarantine arrangements, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of inconsistency. Maraga pointed to statements made by Duale regarding Kenya’s role in regional Ebola response efforts, suggesting a lack of alignment between policy and action.
The Kenya National Ebola Response Team has been working closely with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the situation. Duale emphasized that the 42-day period is necessary to ensure the virus does not re-emerge. The country’s success in containing the outbreak has been praised by regional health officials.
Kenya’s handling of the Ebola crisis has been a key focus for public health officials in East Africa. The government’s rapid response and strict quarantine measures have been credited with preventing a larger outbreak. The final discharge of the last patient represents a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to control the disease.
