Health Ministry intensifies surveillance to boost emergency preparedness
By Kiprono Keileb, October 8, 2025The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disease surveillance systems and emergency response mechanisms in a move aimed at boosting national health security and protecting Kenyans from emerging public health threats.
In a statement posted by the Ministry of Health on its official X account on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Ministry of Health said the efforts are part of a broader plan to enhance Kenya’s preparedness and resilience against diseases and other emergencies that pose risks to communities.
The Ministry emphasised that it continues to support the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), which has been recognised as the lead agency in coordinating and managing emergency preparedness and response. “Ministry of Health has reiterated its support for the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), recognising it as the lead agency for coordinating and managing emergency preparedness and response across the country,” the statement reads.
During a Strategic Leadership Meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, the Ministry reviewed progress made in strengthening disease surveillance and emergency coordination systems.
“The session underscored the Ministry’s commitment to supporting KNPHI’s transition and operational mandate of promoting public health through early detection, prevention, and rapid, coordinated response to health emergencies,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the Ministry said its broader goal is to enhance national health Security. “The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disease surveillance systems and emergency response mechanisms as part of its broader goal to enhance national health security and safeguard communities from emerging public health threats,” The ministry stated
The Principal Secretary further emphasised the importance of building a robust and well-coordinated surveillance structure that promotes synergy between disease detection, confirmation, analysis, and response teams. “A unified system is critical to ensuring timely and effective management of public health threats, both at national and county levels,” the statement read.
The meeting also discussed outbreak management strategies and reviewed the Strategic Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, aligning them with the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s emergency preparedness, resilience, and response capacity.
The Ministry said these efforts are designed to create a more agile and responsive health system capable of tackling future outbreaks before they escalate into national crises.
The renewed focus on public health surveillance comes as Kenya continues to face periodic disease outbreaks and climate-related health challenges, reinforcing the need for stronger coordination between national and county governments.
The Ministry assured Kenyans that its main goal is to protect public health. “The Ministry remains steadfast in protecting the public through Early detection, prevention, and rapid, coordinated response to health emergencies.”