Kenya Reports First Ebola Case as Patient Dies in Nairobi

Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola following the death of a Kenyan national who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The patient tested positive for the virus and died in Nairobi.

Health Minister Aden Duale disclosed this information on October 6, 2026, during a media briefing. The patient had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for approximately seven years and fell ill about a month prior to his death.

After receiving treatment in several hospitals in the DRC, he traveled by road to Kampala, Uganda, and then flew to Nairobi on Saturday. Upon arrival, he underwent routine screening at Nairobi's main airport but was later taken to Nairobi Hospital and transferred to an isolation facility as his condition deteriorated.

He exhibited symptoms such as fever, chills, and bleeding before dying at 11:30 p.m. on Monday. Authorities have identified at least 28 individuals who had direct contact with him and are tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight to Nairobi.