Quarantine Scare Forced Ruto To Cancel Congo Trip – CS Duale
President William Ruto has cancelled a scheduled presidential visit to Congo-Brazzaville on May 26, 2026, in response to the Ministry of Health’s warning about the escalating Ebola outbreak.
Health CS Aden Duale made the findings while defending the government’s decision to continue building an Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase despite a court ruling against it.
According to Duale, Ruto, who was intended to attend the G7 conference in France earlier this month, was compelled to cancel his trip to the Congo after learning about the obligatory 21-day quarantine period.
Speaking on the matter, CS Duale said the decision was made following technical guidance from the Director-General of Health and other experts.
According to CS Duale, together with the experts, they warned that the President would have been subjected to a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon his return if he proceeded with the travel.
The advisory, according to Duale, was issued in line with constitutional and public health considerations under Article 153(2), which guides executive decision-making on matters of national interest.
CS Duale noted that the decision reflected strict adherence to health protocols at the time.
Ebola Facility: Duale Cornered?
President Ruto cancelled a planned trip to DR Congo last month over fears of Ebola exposure,
Members of his advance team were placed under quarantine.#NTVTonight @MichelleNgele_ @david_muthoka7 pic.twitter.com/yK4fQ0g6VE— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 23, 2026
Duale emphasised that even high-level state officials were subject to quarantine measures designed to prevent potential public health risks.
Instead of travelling, President Ruto delivered his address virtually from the State House.
Members of his advance team who had been part of the planned delegation were later placed under a 21-day quarantine upon returning to the country.
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“He acted on our advice, and the president delivered his speech virtually; it is not to say that those from the State House,” CS Duale stated.
CS Duale noted that the decision reflected strict adherence to health protocols at the time.
He also emphasised that even high-level state officials were subject to quarantine measures to prevent potential public health risks.
“Those who were his advanced team as part of the presidential delegation upon their return were quarantined for a period of 21 days in one of our quarantine stations,” CS Duale said.
As of June 23, Congo-Brazzaville has not reported any Ebola cases, although the active, cross-border Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain is heavily affecting its neighbours.
The strain is predominantly in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and parts of Uganda.
Quarantine Scare Forced Ruto To Cancel Congo Trip – CS Duale
