Kenya Assigns JKIA Terminal For Mandatory Screening Of Uganda, Tanzania Travelers
This is part of a multi-agency approach by the Ministry to implement the Kenya Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan across all Points of Entry
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
In a bid to step up surveillance, the Kenyan government through the Ministry of Health has designated Terminal 1A, Gate 16 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as the sole entry point for travellers from Uganda and Tanzania, where Marburg and Ebola cases have been reported.
This is part of a multi-agency approach by the Ministry to implement the Kenya Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan across all Points of Entry, as the country battles to prevent the spread of Marburg, Mpox and Ebola, whose crisis has swept through the neighbouring countries.
The directive was made by the Health Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni who on Friday, alongside World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative Dr Abdiramane Diallo and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief Migration Officer Basnet Mukunda, visited JKIA to engage the Border Management Committee on strengthening disease surveillance and response.
"Amid the Mpox outbreak in Kenya and ongoing Marburg and Ebola threats in the region, enhanced border screening, rapid response teams, and public awareness are crucial to preventing disease importation and safeguarding public health," she stated in part.
Public Health PS Mary Muthoni (middle), alongside WHO Country Representative Dr Abdourahmane Diallo(left) and IOM Chief Migration Officer Basnet Mukunda(right) assessing JKIA preparedness on February 14, 2025. /MARY MUTHONI
"Kenya remains steadfast in protecting public health through proactive surveillance and emergency preparedness. By working closely with global partners, we are enhancing our capacity to detect and respond to disease threats at our borders."
"We acknowledge the support from WHO, IOM and other partners in strengthening emergency response efforts, ensuring the country is well-prepared to address emerging health threats in the region," she added.
In addition to the entry points, travellers from affected areas must fill out health declaration forms, with strict hand hygiene measures, such as handwashing and sanitization, being enforced. Additionally, disembarkation procedures for travellers from Tanzania will adhere to rigorous public health protocols to ensure safety.
This comes as Kenya this week confirmed three (3) new Mpox cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases above the 40 mark to 41, since the outbreak began in Kenya in July 2024.
These cases have been reported across 12 counties as follows: Nakuru (10), Mombasa (8), Busia (7), Nairobi (2), Kajiado (2), Bungoma (2), Taita Taveta (2), Kericho (2), Makueni (2), Kilifi (2), Kiambu (1) and Uasin Gishu (1). The latest three (3) cases reported this week are all from Busia County.
A total of 271 contacts of the 41 cases have been identified, 246 of whom have been monitored for the recommended period of 21 days, nine (9) contacts have tested positive for Mpox while the 16 contacts are still being monitored. Additionally, over 3.3 million travellers have been screened at the points of entry.
The East Africa Region has experienced a series of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) outbreaks over the last few months. Between September and December 2024, the Republic of Rwanda successfully managed an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
The United Republic of Tanzania declared an MVD outbreak on January 20, 2025. The Republic of Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) on January 30, 2025. The outbreaks in Uganda and Tanzania remain active.
According to the Health Ministry, Kenya is at high risk for importation of MVD from Tanzania and SEBV from Uganda due to high population mobility between countries and community interaction across national borders within the East Africa Region.
"Points of Entry (POE) are of particular importance in the prevention of the introduction of disease by travellers originating from or transiting through countries that have ongoing outbreaks," added PS Muthoni.
