By WMW
Kenya has strengthened its position in regional and continental health leadership following the election of Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni as chairperson of the African Permanent and Principal Secretaries for Health.
The election took place during a high-level consultative meeting on cross-border collaboration for health security held in Brazzaville, DRC, bringing together senior health officials from across the continent to chart a coordinated approach to emerging public health threats.
In a statement, Muthoni, the PS for Public Health and Professional Standards described her election as both an honour and a reflection of Africa’s collective commitment to strengthening cooperation in the health sector.
She noted that the role presents an opportunity to enhance coordination among African nations in addressing cross-border health challenges, including disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“This outcome underscores growing continental momentum toward unified and coordinated action on public health,” she said, adding that African countries are increasingly working together to build resilient and future-ready health systems.
The Ministry of Health also hailed the development as a significant milestone, noting that it reinforces Kenya’s growing influence in shaping Africa’s health agenda.
It said the appointment is expected to boost regional collaboration, particularly in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response mechanisms.
According to the ministry, Muthoni’s leadership will help expand access to shared expertise, innovations, and best practices across African health systems, while also supporting efforts to strengthen coordinated responses to cross-border health threats.
The position further enhances Kenya’s role in mobilising partnerships and advancing resilient health systems capable of protecting communities and supporting the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Officials said the election reflects a shared commitment among African nations to deepen cooperation across health sectors through collective leadership and strategic partnerships.
For Kenya, the appointment is seen as a strategic opportunity to strengthen its engagement in regional health diplomacy, while leveraging continental platforms to drive reforms and improve healthcare delivery at home and across the region.
The consultative meeting, which brought together Permanent and Principal Secretaries responsible for health across Africa, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in addressing shared health challenges, including pandemics, infectious diseases, and health system resilience.
Muthoni’s election comes at a time when African countries are prioritising stronger coordination and unified strategies to safeguard public health, particularly in the wake of recent global and regional health crises.
With Kenya now at the helm of this continental platform, expectations are high that the country will play a pivotal role in driving collaborative solutions, strengthening health security, and accelerating progress toward equitable and accessible healthcare for all Africans.
The PS also paid a courtesy to Kenya’s Ambassador to DRC Eng. Peter Tum in Kinshasa.
Their discussions focused on Kenya’s regional health priorities and the importance of strengthening diplomatic and intergovernmental collaboration.
The talks also explored ways to advance partnerships that support cross-border disease surveillance, preparedness, and response; key pillars in managing public health risks in an increasingly interconnected region.
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