The Kenyan government has proposed a ban on the transfer or repatriation of the remains of people who die from Ebola outside the country as part of new measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
The restriction is contained in the proposed Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, which seek to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.
Under the proposed regulations, the remains of anyone who dies from Ebola abroad would not be allowed to be transferred or repatriated to Kenya.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale presented the statutory instrument to the National Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee on Thursday as the government moves to tighten public health safeguards against the virus.
The proposed rules form part of broader efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, control cross-border transmission risks and protect public health.
The regulations are now before Parliament’s delegated legislation committee for consideration.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated materials. Handling the bodies of people who have died from the disease also presents a significant risk of transmission.
