by Kenyans.co.ke Writer on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – 1:38 pm President William Ruto boarding a plane. PHOTO/ Courtesy. President William Ruto cancelled a planned presidential visit to Congo-Brazzaville on May 26, 2026, following a warning from the Ministry of Health over the growing Ebola outbreak. Health CS Aden Duale made the revelations before the Milimani High Court in Nairobi while defending the government’s decision to continue building an Ebola Quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase despite a court order barring the development. According to Duale, Ruto, who had planned to visit France for the G7 summit earlier this month, was forced to cancel his trip to the Congo after learning of the mandatory 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. Health CS Aden Duale during an empowerment programme in Kericho county on June 21, 2026. Photo MoH 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. 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. “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, emphasising 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, primarily the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and parts of Uganda. Health CS Aden Duale observing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Nairobi, June 10, 2026. Photo MoH Latest News Man Arrested After Posing as EACC Officer to Demand Ksh 2M Bribe Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 1:46 pm Ruto Cancels Trip, State House Staff Quarantined Over Ebola Fears Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 1:38 pm IGAD Warns Farmers in 9 Counties of Abnormal Rainfall Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 1:25 pm CS Ruku Issues Orders to All Govt Agencies, Warns Civil Servants Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 12:24 pm NTSA Explains Why Some Vehicle Owners Cannot Download eLogbooks Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 12:11 pm Five Kenyan Women Nominated for Global Award Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 11:51 am IMF Issues Fresh Instructions to CBK Affecting Bank Interest Rates Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 11:40 am Sifuna Responds After ODM SG Ouster, Reveals Next Move Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 11:22 am Ruto Directs Immediate Salary Increase for All Civil Servants Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 11:10 am Confusion for FKF as Procurement Body Issues Verdict on CHAN Scandal Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 10:59 am New Report Flags SGR, Affordable Housing Projects Over Corruption Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 10:47 am Interior Ministry to Link CCTVs With National ID Database in New Plan Tue, 23 Jun 2026 – 10:36 am Load More