Amnesty International Kenya has called on the government to ensure the country's response to Ebola protects public health without violating the rights of citizens and other people affected by containment measures.
In an advisory issued in Nairobi on October 7, 2026, the organisation said emergency measures must comply with the Constitution and international human rights standards.
The advisory follows confirmation of Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease and the death of the patient in Nairobi.
The patient was a Kenyan citizen living in the Democratic Republic of Congo who travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3.
The Ministry of Health has since started contact tracing and quarantine measures involving 28 initial contacts, 23 passengers and four crew members.
Amnesty said contact tracing should only collect information necessary for public health purpose and warned against using passenger details and medical information for unrelated activities such as law enforcement, immigration or commercial purposes.
The organisation also called for the identity and medical information of patients to be kept confidential to prevent stigma and fear.
On quarantine, Amnesty said people placed under monitoring or isolation should be treated humanely and provided with food, clean water, sanitation, medical care and psychosocial support.
It also urged the government to offer financial and other assistance to people who may struggle to meet their basic needs while in quarantine.
The advisory called for special protection of children, women, persons with disabilities and older people, including ensuring children are not placed in adult quarantine facilities.
Amnesty also urged authorities to protect healthcare workers by providing adequate protective equipment, training, safe working conditions and fair compensation.
The organisation called for continued access to other essential health services, including maternity care and HIV treatment, while Ebola measures are implemented.
It further warned against stigma and discrimination targeting Congolese nationals, refugees, migrants and people living in border communities.
On policing and information, Amnesty said public health measures should not be used to justify arbitrary arrests, police abuse or restrictions on legitimate media reporting and civic participation.
The organisation lastly called for independent oversight of quarantine facilities, personal data handling and the use of resources, including monitoring by bodies such as the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
