Health Cabinet Secretary Hon Aden Duale Duale has announced a major shift in Kenya’s health system, placing preparedness and resilience at the centre of national health security following the launch of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) Strategic Plan (2023–2027) and the National Action Plan for Health Security (2026–2030).
Speaking in Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary said Kenya is moving from reacting to health crises to anticipating and managing them, noting that strong health security systems are essential to protecting lives, livelihoods and the economy.
He described the Kenya National Public Health Institute as the backbone of the country’s health security architecture, integrating surveillance, laboratories and emergency operations into a coordinated national response, and noted progress in operationalising the institute through governance, technical transition and dedicated financing.
The new frameworks, he said, provide a clear roadmap for real-time data use, emergency preparedness, risk communication and a One Health approach linking human, animal and environmental health.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted progress in Universal Health Coverage, noting that over 30 million Kenyans are now registered with the Social Health Authority, expanding access to care and financial protection while strengthening early detection at community level.
He underscored Kenya’s growing regional leadership, citing the Africa CDC Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre and the WHO Regional Emergency Hub in Nairobi, and called for sustained domestic financing to anchor health security gains.
Looking ahead, he announced the inaugural Kenya Health Security Convention to align priorities and position the country as a regional hub for health security dialogue.
Those in attendance included Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards; Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change; Neema Kimambo, WHO Acting Country Representative; Paul Kariuki, Chairperson, Kenya National Public Health Institute Board; Kamene Kimenye, Acting Director-General, Kenya National Public Health Institute; alongside representatives from Africa CDC, development partners, and stakeholders from national and county governments.
By Anthony Solly
