Members of Departmental Committee on Health in the National Assembly have affirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] in its mandate of National Health Security which acts as the foundation for navigating public health threats, providing a proactive, multi-sectoral approach to tame pandemics, handle emergencies, and fortify weak health systems.

Led by Committee Chairman and Seme Member of Parliament Dr James Nyikal speaking during a Breakout Session at the ongoing Kenya Health Security Convention in Mombasa,the legislators said they will continue maintaining a crucial role in the sustainability of KNPHI through robust legal framework, securing budgetary allocations, and providing oversight to enhance disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response. 

Nyeri Township Member of Parliament  and National Assembly Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee Vice Chairperson Duncan Mathenge disclosed that  plans are underway to initiate a Parliamentary Caucus on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to drive policy, legislation, and sustainable financing to combat drug-resistant infections

The lawmaker underscored the urgent need for legislative action and multi-sectoral coordination in combating AMR, noting that the growing resistance to antimicrobial medicines continues to pose serious threats to public health systems and national economies.

He observed that AMR increases the burden on healthcare through prolonged illnesses, costly treatment interventions and the demand for more intensive and expensive care.

The session themed “Positioning Health Security as a Legislative and Shared Priority in Kenya” focused on strengthening national legislative and governance frameworks, with emphasis on One Health approaches, multi-sectoral collaboration and reinforcing the mandate of the Institute which was established under Legal Notice No. 14 of January 2022.

During the panel discussion, session moderator and Chief Executive Officer of Amref Health Africa Dr Githinji Gitahi urged Parliament to fast-track the full operationalisation of the Institute under the leadership of Dr Kamene Kimenye.

Dr Gitahi noted that the call is timely one year after KNPHI was officially launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale in a landmark move that transferred critical public health functions from the Ministry of Health to the new semi-autonomous agency, towards strengthening Kenya’s health security architecture and emergency preparedness.

KNPHI serves as Kenya’s central platform for disease surveillance, health research, policy coordination, and rapid emergency response.The institute is expected to streamline public health functions, eliminate duplication, and improve Kenya’s readiness and capacity to respond to health threats.