Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to deepen cooperation on cross-border health security following bilateral talks between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Ethiopia’s Health Minister Mekdes Daba Feyssa on the sidelines of the African Union summit.
The meeting focused on disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness along the Moyale–Marsabit corridor, a porous border zone characterized by high mobility among pastoralists, traders, and humanitarian workers.
Officials noted that frequent cross-border movement increases the risk of transmission of infectious and zoonotic diseases.
Both countries, as State Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005) and partners under the Africa CDC framework, committed to establishing a structured bilateral partnership to strengthen early detection and rapid response to health threats.
Priority areas identified include cross-border and genomic surveillance, laboratory collaboration, emergency preparedness, and workforce development.
The partnership will also reinforce a One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems, particularly to address zoonotic and climate-sensitive diseases.
The two sides emphasized strengthening early warning systems and coordinated responses to outbreaks such as cholera, measles, Rift Valley fever, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, which pose recurring risks in border communities.
Kenya and Ethiopia also pledged to align Public Health Emergency Operations Centre coordination, explore pooled emergency stockpiles for critical supplies, and conduct joint after-action reviews following disease outbreaks.
Duale said Kenya is ready to formalize the commitments through a bilateral framework aimed at safeguarding border communities while strengthening regional health systems.
He was accompanied by Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga and senior health officials during the discussions.