Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga on behalf of Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has officially opened the Inaugural Kenya Health Security Convention [KHSC] organised by the Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] from May 5-8 at PrideInn Paradise in Mombasa.

The event representing a pivotal opportunity to transform Kenya’s public health landscape by bridging critical gaps between research, policy, and practice is focused on the theme “Advancing Health Security through Science, Innovation, 
and Equity”.

Addressing the event delegates comprising researchers, policymakers, frontline responders, and communities on Tuesday afternoon, PS Oluga affirmed Government commitment of supporting KNPHI in its mandate towards Global Health Security Agenda that aims to strengthen the world's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.

He emphasized that the conference, which has been deliberately structured to deliver practical and measurable outcomes, provides a critical platform for all relevant stakeholders to come together, collaborate, and demonstrate their collective commitment to advancing the health agenda. He noted that beyond discussions and policy pronouncements, the forum is intended to drive tangible actions and results that directly impact communities.

"This Convention comes at a critical time. Over the past few years, we have faced repeated public health threats from pandemics to outbreaks such as cholera, Rift Valley Fever, and Mpox. These experiences have reinforced a simple but urgent truth: preparedness must be continuous, deliberate, and embedded in our systems, not activated only during crises" he said.

"As a Ministry, our focus has been on strengthening the building blocks that make health security work in practice. This includes disease surveillance systems, laboratory networks, emergency operations capacity, and coordination between national and county governments. These are not abstract concepts they are the systems that determine whether we detect and respond to threats in time" added the PS.

The representative of Chief of Defence Forces Major General John Nkoimo on his part noted that the Convention  theme captures a reality that is becoming increasingly evident across the world: that health is no longer confined to hospitals, laboratories, or clinics; it has become central to national resilience, economic stability, and security.

"This event brings together professionals from different domains—health, policy, research, and security—not simply to share perspectives, but to recognise a deeper reality: that health security is not the responsibility of one institution. It is a shared function, dependent on how effectively systems can work together under pressure" he stated.

The Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, who also serves as Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP, Hon. Patrick Munene, affirmed that Parliament is firmly committed to ensuring the success and operational effectiveness of KNPHI through legal framework development,budgetary and structural support, and Intergovernmental coordination.

Others present during the event were the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Nairobi Susan M. Burns,the Acting World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Kenya Dr. Neema Kimambo,Chairman of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board Dr.  Emmanuel Nzai,KNPHI Board Chairperson and Ag. Director General Mr. Paul Kariuki and Kamene Kimenye respectively.

The KNPHI is mandated by Legal Notice to identify priority research areas, inform evidence-based policy, and support operational research and innovations that strengthen Kenya's health system. 

This convention activates that mandate by convening multisectoral leaders to translate evidence into action, break sectoral silos, and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through a bottom-up, stakeholder-driven approach.