NAIROBI — At a time when public health systems across the globe are under pressure, Kenya’s decision to build its own national public health body has drawn rare praise from international partners.
At an inaugural meeting in Nairobi this week, senior officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization, and global health agencies applauded the Kenyan government for setting up the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI).
“This is not just a technical milestone. It shows real leadership,” said Dr Lucy Mazyanga, Regional Director for Eastern Africa at Africa CDC. “It signals Kenya’s clear commitment to protect the health of its people and to support health security in the region.”
Dr Mazyanga, who has worked with Kenya since 2018 to lay the groundwork for the Institute, said the country had “walked the talk” by investing in both national systems and regional cooperation. “We’re proud that Kenya hosts our Eastern Africa office here in Nairobi,” she added. “It’s a natural fit for a country that has shown so much commitment to health diplomacy.”
A Growing Institution
KNPHI was formally launched as a semi-autonomous agency under the Ministry of Health, with a mandate to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. It now leads Kenya’s surveillance systems, emergency response efforts, and workforce development for public health.
Since its formation, the Institute has begun to shift critical services under one roof and align its work with international standards, including those set out by the International Health Regulations (IHR). These global rules, agreed by all WHO member states, aim to prevent and contain the spread of disease across borders.
Dr Kamene Kimenye, the acting Director-General of KNPHI, said partnerships had been central to getting the Institute off the ground.
“Whether it’s training health workers or preparing for the next outbreak, we’ve relied on your support,” she told partners gathered at the meeting. “Today is about building on that. Can we find new ways to work together, and be ready for whatever comes next?”
Dr Kimenye said the Institute’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan outlines priorities from emergency readiness to research. But she stressed that no agency could meet those goals alone. “Let this be a platform for real, actionable commitments,” she said.
Health Security in Practice
Since it was established, KNPHI has already led several high-level preparedness exercises. These include the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), and State Parties Annual Reporting (SPAR) key tools used globally to test and improve a country’s readiness for outbreaks.
The meeting also introduced amendments to the IHR 2024, with experts urging all countries to stay alert to both new and re-emerging diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic, they warned, showed what can happen when surveillance and response systems are weak.
Development partners in the room included the Kenya Red Cross, Amref Health Africa, UNHCR, Palladium, and AFENET all of whom have contributed funding, expertise, or training support.
Dr Serawit Bruck-Landais, Chair of the Development Partners in Health Kenya (DPHK), said Kenya’s decision to create a central public health body was “long overdue, but hugely important.”
“We’re not here to just applaud progress,” she said. “We’re here to help deepen it.”
A Regional Leader
The Institute is now seen as a key pillar in Kenya’s broader health strategy. It plays a vital role in helping the country meet its international obligations and respond faster to crises.
More than that, it’s being looked to as a model for others.
Dr George Githuka, a senior official at Amref Health Africa, said Kenya’s investment was a “smart step” toward reducing future shocks. “When your systems are strong, you don’t just protect your own people you help stabilise the region.”
For now, Kenya’s new health agency appears to be off to a strong start. But officials know that the next challenge—delivering results on the ground has only just begun.
“Institutions don’t save lives,” said one official quietly after the meeting. “But what they build, and how they act when it matters, can.”
