Kenya has taken a significant step towards enhancing its health sector through strengthened collaboration with the United Kingdom, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on Monday.
The discussions with a UK delegation, led by Dr. Ed Barnett, the UK Chargé d’Affaires to Kenya, focused on advancing Kenya’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving preparedness for emerging health threats.
During the bilateral meeting, CS Duale highlighted the importance of leveraging UK expertise in outbreak analytics, laboratory capacity, and high-threat pathogen response. The partnership aims to bolster Kenya’s cross-border surveillance systems and ensure the country is better equipped to detect and respond to infectious diseases.
A key outcome of the talks was the identification of technical support areas, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, technology transfer, quality assurance, and digital product-authentication systems.
CS Duale emphasized that these measures will support the establishment of county-level manufacturing hubs, positioning Kenyan innovations within regional and global health value chains, and advancing Kenya toward World Health Organization Maturity Level 3 (ML3) certification.
The discussions also focused on digital governance in healthcare, drawing on the UK’s experience with the National Health Service (NHS).
CS Duale noted that the Social Health Authority (SHA) reforms underway in Kenya could benefit from UK collaboration, particularly in enhancing digital health management and innovation ecosystems.
Research and innovation featured prominently in the talks, with the Kenya–UK Health Global Innovation Network highlighted as a platform for developing AI-enabled diagnostics, early-screening technologies, and commercialization of local health solutions.
The alliance also continues to expand oncology services, molecular diagnostics, palliative care, and clinical research initiatives, including UK-based oncology fellowships and virtual tumour boards.
CS Duale’s briefing included updates on Kenya’s Health and Data Sharing Cooperation Framework with the United States, witnessed by President William Ruto, as well as preparations for the World Health Summit Africa scheduled for April 2026 under the theme, “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence.”
The meeting was attended by senior Ministry officials, including Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, NPHI Director General Dr. Maureen Kamene, and Family Health Directorate’s Dr. Joel Gondi.