Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the development in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 11, confirming that the final patient had recovered and that the last 11 people under monitoring had also completed their observation period.
The countdown begins Thursday, November 12. If no new infections are detected during the 42 days, Kenya is expected to be declared Ebola-free on December 23, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Kenya confirmed its first case on October 6 after an infected person travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda. The outbreak involved nine confirmed cases, including four family members and four healthcare workers who became infected through contact with the initial patient.
Two people died, while seven recovered. Health authorities identified and monitored 135 contacts, preventing further spread into the wider community. The last confirmed case was reported in October, with no new infections recorded since.
The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no licensed vaccine. Kenya's response relied on contact tracing, isolation, laboratory testing and close monitoring of exposed individuals.
Despite the latest milestone, health authorities say surveillance and emergency response measures will continue throughout the countdown. The 42-day period represents twice the virus's maximum known incubation period and is intended to establish whether any undetected transmission remains.
Meanwhile, the wider regional outbreak continues to pose a public health challenge. The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported more than 11,000 confirmed infections and over 5,000 deaths, with cases also reported in other African countries. Kenya's progress therefore marks an important national achievement, but it does not signal the end of the regional Ebola emergency.
