Kenya Suspends Government Meetings in Hotels Over Ebola
In a memo addressed to heads of directorates, divisions and programmes, Muthoni directed government departments to halt the affected gatherings immediately.
Government suspends hotel meetings and conferences as Kenya strengthens measures to contain the spread of Ebola following confirmation of an imported Bundibugyo virus disease case. Photo; Kenyans.co.ke
By Robert Mutasi
The government has suspended all meetings, seminars and conferences organised in hotels as Kenya strengthens measures to contain the risk of Ebola following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed the directive, saying the suspension took effect on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.
In a memo addressed to heads of directorates, divisions and programmes, Muthoni directed government departments to halt the affected gatherings immediately. Departments seeking exemptions must obtain approval from her office.
The directive comes after the Ministry of Health confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola on October 6, prompting authorities to intensify emergency preparedness, surveillance and contact tracing.
“Following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, the State Department is prioritising emergency preparedness, contact tracing and response measures,” the memo stated.“Accordingly, all meetings, seminars and conferences scheduled to be held in hotels are suspended with immediate effect from Wednesday, 7th October 2026, until further notice,” it added.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, October 10, Muthoni said the government was stepping up monitoring and preparing for possible developments as health officials continued to respond to the outbreak.
The first confirmed case involved a Kenyan national who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The patient reportedly developed symptoms about a month before travelling to Kenya through Uganda.
He arrived in Nairobi on October 3 and was admitted to Nairobi Hospital, where he later died.Following confirmation of the infection, health authorities launched contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the patient.
At least 57 contacts had been identified, according to the initial reports.The government has also introduced additional health precautions at State House as part of efforts to protect public officials and other visitors.
Earlier in the week, guests attending a National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) graduation ceremony at State House underwent health screening conducted by Nairobi City County health officials.
The suspension of hotel-based government gatherings adds to the precautions being taken as authorities seek to limit potential exposure and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to the disease.
Government departments have been directed to comply with the suspension, with any proposed exceptions subject to approval by the Public Health Principal Secretary’s office.
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