By the 254.ke Newsroom | Updated October 27, 2026
Kenya’s second Ebola death was announced by the Ministry of Health on Friday, October 23, 2026. The patient was a 65-year-old woman who died in an infectious disease unit in Nairobi. She was a close relative of the country’s first Ebola patient and had developed symptoms on October 13 while already in quarantine. Kenya has confirmed nine cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, and the ministry says all nine belong to one cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community spread.
What do we know about Kenya’s second Ebola death?
Health Director General Patrick Amoth gave the update in a ministry statement on Friday evening. The woman was the third confirmed patient in Kenya. She was admitted to an isolation unit the same day her symptoms began and died on the evening of October 23, according to reports by The Star and Kenyans.co.ke.
The first patient, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, died at a Nairobi hospital in early October. Reports differ on the exact day: Al Jazeera and Kenyans.co.ke give October 5, while The Star gives October 6.
Key facts at a glance
| Confirmed cases | 9 (Bundibugyo virus disease) |
| Deaths | 2 (early October, and October 23) |
| Patients in care | 7, in two isolation facilities |
| Contacts traced | 135, all placed in quarantine as of October 22 |
| Ministry position | One cluster, no evidence of community spread |
| Public hotline | Call 719, dial *719#, or WhatsApp 0700 719 719 |
How was the burial handled?
Ministry officials said they were talking with the family about a safe and dignified burial and asked the public and media to respect the family’s privacy. A later report carried by allAfrica said trained teams in protective equipment handled the burial under strict infection-prevention measures. Mourners were asked to avoid direct contact with the body, and officials worked with relatives to accommodate Muslim burial practices where that could be done safely.
The ministry has urged Kenyans not to touch or handle the bodies of people who died from suspected or confirmed Ebola.
Are contacts being released from quarantine?
Kenyans.co.ke reported on October 20 that the first group of contacts, quarantined from October 6, was expected to start returning home from October 25 after the 21-day monitoring period. Contacts must complete that period without symptoms. The ministry’s more recent statements have not published a full count of those released, so the total still in quarantine is unconfirmed.
What is happening beyond Kenya?
The Kenyan cluster sits inside a much larger regional outbreak. Al Jazeera reported that the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in May and has since recorded more than 9,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths. Nigeria reported a case on October 20, becoming the fourth African country affected, and its health minister said analysis linked it closely to the virus in Kenya’s index case. Uganda announced that travellers with a recent DRC travel history will not be allowed to transit through the country.
What should Kenyans do?
- Report fever, unusual tiredness, body pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility, or call the toll-free line 719.
- Do not touch or prepare the body of anyone who died from suspected Ebola.
- Follow only official ministry advisories, and avoid sharing unverified case numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died of Ebola in Kenya?
Two, as of the ministry’s October 23 statement. Nine cases have been confirmed in total.
Is Ebola spreading in the community in Kenya?
The Ministry of Health says no. It reports that all nine cases are linked to one cluster of known contacts.
Which Ebola virus is in Kenya?
The ministry has identified Bundibugyo virus disease.
What is the Ebola hotline in Kenya?
Call the toll-free line 719, dial *719#, or message 0700 719 719 on WhatsApp.
For earlier coverage, see our reports on the ninth case and contact tracing, the rise to eight cases and Kenya’s Ebola rules. Guidance for the public is also published by the World Health Organization.
