Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has held high-level talks with officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) aimed at enhancement regional cooperation and strengthening health security systems across Eastern Africa.
The meeting brought together senior officials including Dr. Raji Tajudeen, representing Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya, and Dr. Lul Riek, Special Representative and Regional Advisor for the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre.
During the discussions, Duale reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the Africa CDC agenda and the need for stronger regional partnerships to address emerging health threats.
“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to the Africa CDC agenda and to strengthening regional collaboration in building resilient health systems,” Duale said.
Kenya has hosted the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre since 2017, coordinating public health efforts across 14 member states—a role that underscores the country’s leadership in regional preparedness and response.
“Our position as host of the regional coordinating centre reflects Kenya’s central role in advancing collective health security in Eastern Africa,” he noted.
The talks focused on enhancing emergency preparedness, improving diagnostic capacity, and boosting local manufacturing of essential medical supplies as part of long-term health resilience strategies.
Duale emphasized that the initiatives align with the vision of William Ruto to promote self-sufficiency in healthcare systems.
“We are keen on advancing local manufacturing of health products as a key pillar of our health security framework,” he said.
The meeting also reviewed progress toward finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding on land allocation and financial support for the establishment of the regional centre in Kenya.
“Kenya remains committed to this agenda through innovation, collaboration, and sustained investment in public health infrastructure,” Duale added.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, as the government continues to deepen partnerships aimed at safeguarding public health across the region.
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