Kenya has confirmed the first case of coronavirus, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said on Friday.

Mr. Kagwe revealed that the virus was confirmed on a female student who travelled in from the United States via London, United Kingdom.

He pointed out that the patient was in a stable condition, adding she will only be discharged once she is treated and turns out negative.

According to the Kenyan official, the ministry has contacted other people who were in the same flight with the quarantined patient for testing.

The woman is at Kenyatta National Hospital's Infectious Disease Unit.

Kagwe has urged Kenyans not to panic and to remain vigilant so as to control the spread of coronavirus.

Consequently, Kenya has suspended all travel outside the country unless necessary.

Kenya borders South Sudan.

More than 128,000 people have so far tested positive for the coronavirus globally while 4,700 have died, according to data from the World Health Organization.