Ebola, insurance row and El Niño cloud Kenya’s 5.5m tourist ambition as festive season approaches

Kenya’s ambition to attract 5.5 million international visitors annually by 2028 faces a test as the tourism industry prepares for the festive season amid concerns over imported cases of Bundibugyo Ebola, forecast El Niño rains and a mandatory medical insurance requirement that some industry players say is driving visitors away.

While some operators have not recorded cancellations linked to Ebola or anticipated heavy rains, others report losing clients over the insurance requirement, raising concerns about the cost and ease of travelling to Kenya.