Cruise ships firm suspends boarding of Kenyan crew over Ebola fears

By  Winnie Atieno

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Kenya’s cruise industry has suffered a setback following the country’s first imported Ebola case last week, with MSC Cruises temporarily suspending the boarding of Kenyan seafarers. The man, who died, was a Kenyan who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo before travelling to Nairobi through Uganda.

The development has raised concerns about the potential impact of public-health fears on international travel, cruise tourism and the livelihoods of thousands of Kenyans who depend on the sector. Tour operators have, however, reported no cancellations so far.

MSC Cruises, which employs hundreds of Kenyans aboard its vessels, said the suspension of Kenyan crew members will be in place until October 31, citing recent public-health developments in the country.

In a communication to affected crew members seen by Nation, the cruise line said the decision was precautionary as it continued to monitor and assess the situation.

“As a precautionary measure following recent public health developments in Kenya, MSC Cruises has decided to temporarily suspend the embarkation of Kenyan crew members until 31 October while the situation continues to be monitored and assessed,” the communication from the ship management stated.

The company apologised for the short notice but assured affected workers that the decision would not affect their employment status, engagement or future opportunities with the cruise line.

It said those whose travel arrangements had been postponed would be prioritised for rescheduling from November 1, unless further developments required additional measures.

Although MSC Cruises did not explicitly mention Ebola in its communication, the suspension has raised questions about whether other international employers could take similar precautions and what that would mean for Kenyan workers seeking overseas opportunities.

In July, some Kenyans workers were also stranded after a cruise company postponed embarkation for the crew from Kenya, although no case of Ebola had been reported.

“Please note that due to the Ebola outbreak, management decided to postpone the embarkation for crew from Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda until further notice,” read an email from the cruise company.

A source who requested anonymity said some staff from Diani and Mombasa who were to board the cruise ship were stranded.

However, Tourism sector analyst Mohammed Hersi said the industry had not recorded cancellations linked to the case but warned that the situation could change if major source markets issued stricter travel advisories.

“We have not gotten any cancellations. It all depends on the travel advisories, specifically from the UK and US governments and UAE,” said Mr Hersi, director of Pollman’s Tours and Safaris.

He said the US and the UK had not issued the highest-level warnings against travel to Kenya, adding that more restrictive advisories could affect visitor confidence and bookings.

“If we are taken to Level Three or Four, which means ‘do not travel’, then we are bound to get cancellations,” he said.
Mr Hersi said tourists who cancelled their trips under the prevailing booking conditions risked losing their money. He expressed optimism that Kenya would avoid restrictive travel advisories because the case was imported and health authorities had taken measures to contain the risk.

However, Mr Hersi said his company had strengthened hygiene measures, including providing hand sanitisers in its vehicles and monitoring the health of staff and visitors.

“We are back to Covid-19 protocols, minus masks, because Ebola is not airborne. It is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids. If it was airborne, that would have been a disaster,” he said.

However, Africa Last Minute Ltd company manager Abraham Guyo warned that the case could undermine confidence in Kenya as a destination, particularly if international concern grows.

The Ministry of Health confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 6. The patient, who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda to Nairobi, later died and was buried in accordance with public-health protocols.

The government has maintained that the case was imported and has urged Kenyans to remain calm, follow official health guidance and avoid spreading unverified information.

The government says it has intensified surveillance and other public-health measures to prevent further transmission.

The cruise sector has been growing in importance to the country’s tourism and port economy.
By July 2026, about nine cruise ships had called at the Port of Mombasa during the current cruise season. In the previous season, five vessels docked at the port, carrying 4,205 tourists.

Kenya is projected to receive a total of 20 cruise vessels by the end of 2026, an increase that underscores the importance of maintaining confidence among cruise operators, passengers and international travel partners.

The suspension of Kenyan crew embarkations comes at a time when the country is seeking to expand tourism arrivals and earnings. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said Kenya is targeting at least 5.5 million international arrivals annually by 2028.

Speaking during the opening of the 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Ms Miano said Kenya received 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, generating Sh500 billion in earnings. Domestic travel accounted for 5.2 million travellers.

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