The Ministry of Health announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, describing it as an important milestone in efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
The individuals were reunited with their families after undergoing final health assessments and receiving guidance on post-quarantine precautions and follow-up where necessary.
Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth urged communities to welcome those returning home, assuring the public that the released contacts posed no risk of infection.
“Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone,” Amoth said, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
98 contacts remain under quarantine
Despite the release, Kenya’s Ebola response remains ongoing, with 98 contacts still in quarantine as health officials continue monitoring individuals linked to confirmed cases.
The Ministry of Health said the remaining contacts are expected to be released in four phases beginning November 3, subject to individual health assessments and completion of their monitoring periods.
The government had previously traced 135 contacts associated with the initial case, both within Kenya and internationally, as part of an extensive contact-tracing exercise.
Kenya reports nine confirmed cases and two deaths
As of October 26, Kenya had recorded nine confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, an Ebola strain, including two deaths.
The first case involved a Kenyan man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda before falling ill in Nairobi. He died on October 5, with the case confirmed the following day.
Eight additional people subsequently tested positive, including family members and healthcare workers who had been in contact with the initial patient. Health authorities said the subsequent cases had been identified while the individuals were already in quarantine.
According to the WHO, all nine cases belong to one connected cluster, with no evidence of transmission into the wider community as of October 26.
Health authorities urge public to avoid stigma
The WHO continues to support Kenya through surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, treatment and infection-prevention measures.
Health officials have also urged the public to avoid stigmatising patients, their families and people who have completed quarantine, emphasising the importance of community cooperation in controlling the outbreak.
The release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s containment efforts, but authorities have stressed that monitoring and surveillance must continue until the outbreak is brought under control.
For now, the priority remains identifying any new infections quickly, ensuring patients receive appropriate care and preventing further transmission.
