Kenya wants Saudi Arabia to lift visa and entry restrictions, arguing that health evidence does not justify the measures.
Kenya has threatened to take its concerns over the Saudi travel ban to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). It also wants Saudi Arabia to review and lift the restrictions imposed over Ebola concerns.
In an October 30 diplomatic protest, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs called the measures excessive. The ministry, headed by Musalia Mudavadi, argued that they could damage Kenya’s economic and diplomatic interests.
The restrictions suspend visa issuance to Kenyans. They also bar travellers who have visited Kenya within the preceding 21 days.
Kenya challenges evidence behind Saudi travel ban
The ministry said it would work with other affected African countries to raise the matter with Africa CDC. It argued that restrictions lacking scientific support could create a troubling precedent for the continent.
Kenya also asked Saudi Arabia to submit its scientific justification to the World Health Organization. It cited Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005).
Meanwhile, the foreign affairs and health ministries maintain that Kenya has contained the outbreak. They said all nine confirmed infections belong to one cluster linked to an imported case, with no community transmission.
The ministries said Kenya had recorded no new infections since October 19. All secondary cases were already in quarantine when symptoms developed, while health teams traced and monitored all 135 identified contacts.
Seven patients still receiving treatment are expected to leave hospital on November 3. In addition, 46 contacts should complete quarantine that day if they continue testing negative.
