Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening strategic health partnerships following high-level talks with officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at Afya House, Nairobi.

The meeting that was held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, focused on bolstering Kenya’s health sector reforms through expanded collaboration in critical areas.

The engagement underscored both parties’ commitment to delivering equitable and sustainable healthcare solutions, in alignment with the government’s health agenda.

“Japan International Cooperation Agency has been a longstanding and reliable partner in advancing Kenya’s healthcare priorities. Their support in maternal and child health, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), human resources for health, and emergency preparedness has significantly contributed to our progress,” Duale said.

The CS said the major discussion highlight was JICA’s continued support for the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), which the Ministry views as a cornerstone in driving the country’s health security agenda.

“The Kenya National Public Health Institute is a flagship initiative. It will enable us to proactively tackle public health threats and strengthen national emergency response capabilities,” Duale emphasised.

Looking to the future, CS Duale expressed keen interest in expanding collaboration with JICA into new and emerging areas such as digital health platforms, telemedicine, geriatric care, and alternative medicine.

“We are particularly interested in ethical integration of alternative medicine and creating digital systems that can interlink across health services,” he noted.

Kenya-Japan health deal

In anticipation of the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August 2025, Duale welcomed JICA’s technical input in shaping Kenya’s health agenda. He proposed five key priorities for consideration at the summit:

Expanding health infrastructure in underserved areas; Strengthening emergency and pandemic preparedness, investing in health digitisation and interoperable platforms, developing comprehensive geriatric and elder care systems and promoting public-private collaboration in technology transfer and local manufacturing.

“These five pillars are essential if we are to build a resilient, people-centred, and future-ready healthcare system,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

The Chief Representative Shinkawa Makoto reaffirmed JICA’s continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s health sector. He was accompanied by senior colleagues, including Suzuki Fumihiko (Senior Representative), Kaneko Nae (Representative), and Komazawa Osuke, a Policy Advisor seconded to the Ministry of Health.

CS Duale lauded the longstanding Kenya-Japan partnership and reiterated his Ministry’s dedication to achieving inclusive, accessible, and sustainable healthcare.

“With JICA’s support, we can make meaningful strides towards universal health coverage and position Kenya as a regional leader in public health innovation,” he asserted.

The JICA delegation, led by Chief Representative Shinkawa Makoto, was welcomed by CS Duale and top officials from the Ministry of Health, including Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth.