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US Raises Kenya Travel Advisory to Level 3 Amid Ebola Outbreak and Security Concerns

The United States has raised its travel advisory for Kenya, urging American citizens to reconsider visiting the country over concerns about health risks, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest and road safety.

In an advisory issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, the US State Department upgraded Kenya from Level 2, which advises travellers to exercise increased caution, to Level 3, recommending that Americans reconsider travel.

“Reconsider travel to Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk,” the department stated.

The updated advisory comes amid growing concerns over Kenya’s security situation and the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the region.

Eastleigh and Kibera Remain Under Strict Travel Warning

The US government has maintained its Level 4 travel warning for some areas of Kenya, including Eastleigh and Kibera in Nairobi.

Level 4 is the highest category in the US travel advisory system and means Americans are advised not to travel to the designated areas because of serious safety risks.

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The broader Level 3 warning signals increased concern about the potential risks facing American travellers across the country.

However, the advisory does not amount to a blanket travel ban on Kenya. Instead, it urges Americans to carefully assess the risks before making travel arrangements.

Ebola Cases Raise Health Concerns

The advisory also comes as Kenya continues responding to an outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

According to the information provided, an eighth person in Kenya has tested positive for the virus, marking the country’s first recorded cluster of cases involving the strain.

The wider regional outbreak has reportedly killed more than 4,300 people and infected over 9,000, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and the capacity of health systems to contain the disease.

Kenyan authorities have continued issuing public health guidance and safety recommendations to help citizens reduce the risk of infection.

Controversial US Quarantine Centre Sparks Protests

The US response to the outbreak has also attracted controversy in Kenya following the establishment of a quarantine facility at Laikipia airbase.

The centre was intended to accommodate Americans returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who would be required to undergo quarantine.

However, the facility has faced opposition from local residents, who have raised concerns about its establishment and potential public health implications.

The dispute has reportedly triggered protests and prompted a Kenyan court to order a halt to the centre’s operations.

The developments have fuelled debate about public health preparedness, government transparency and international cooperation during disease outbreaks.

Travellers Urged to Review Safety Guidance

The latest advisory places Kenya among destinations for which Washington recommends reconsidering travel rather than simply exercising routine caution.

Americans planning visits have been encouraged to review the State Department’s country-specific guidance and assess the risks associated with their intended destinations.

The advisory highlights the intersection of security and public health concerns as Kenyan authorities continue addressing the Ebola situation while managing other safety challenges.