Kenya, Africa CDC Deepen Collaboration on Health Security and Epidemic Preparedness
Nairobi, - Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale held high-level consultations with Africa CDC Deputy Director General Dr. Raji Tajudeen to strengthen collaboration on regional health security, epidemic preparedness, and Africa’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
The meeting focused on advancing cooperation in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, workforce development, and local manufacturing of health products and technologies. The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged the critical role played by Africa CDC under the leadership of Dr. Jean Kaseya in supporting African countries to build resilient public health systems and coordinate responses to health emergencies, including ongoing Ebola response efforts in the region.
The discussions reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to continental and regional health security frameworks. While the country has not reported any confirmed Ebola cases, robust preparedness measures remain in place, including intensified surveillance, strengthened border health controls, enhanced emergency response systems, and sustained public awareness initiatives.
Hon. Duale emphasized the strategic significance of the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC), hosted by Kenya, as a key platform for advancing regional preparedness and coordinated emergency response. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to implementing the Host Country Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the World Health Summit, paving the way for the RCC to serve as a regional hub for workforce development, disease surveillance, local manufacturing, and health emergency response.
Reiterating the commitment of the Government of Kenya under the Fifth Administration, the Cabinet Secretary pledged continued support for Africa CDC’s vision of a self-reliant and resilient continent. As the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Health Products and Technologies, Kenya continues to champion efforts aimed at expanding Africa’s production capacity for essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other critical health commodities.
Kenya will continue working closely with Africa CDC and partners to advance shared health priorities and position the Eastern Africa RCC as a leading centre of excellence for health security, preparedness, innovation, and coordinated emergency response across the continent.