Kenya National Public Health Institute

17/11/2025

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐱 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.

On 11th Nov 2025, the KNPHI received reports of suspected anthrax linked to handling and sale of meat at Burma market following a 31-year-old man currently admitted at KNH.

The outbreak investigation team conducted a rapid field assessment involving market inspection and interviews, active case search in surrounding health facilities, and community-based case search among meat traders, butchers, and transport workers.

The goal was to identify additional cases, determine the source of exposure, and initiate timely control measures.

Continued surveillance, improved traceability systems, and strengthened Infection,Prevention and Control [IPC] and hygiene practices in markets remain key.

17/11/2025

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐍𝐏𝐇𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝

Following the recent appointment of KNPHI Board members, the institute has organized a four-day Board Retreat Workshop aimed at deepening understanding of the KNPHI Strategic Plan (2023–2027) and aligning on the strategic direction of the organization.

The Board Chair Mr Paul Kariuki affirmed their significant role of providing strategic oversight,leadership,management and proper guidance for the organization, ensuring it operates legally, ethically, and in the best interests of its stakeholders for implementation of health security role in the country.

The acting Director General Dr Kamene Kimenye on her part acknowledged the pertinent function played by the planning experts from the Ministry of Health in the development process of the document which lays a strong foundation in place towards strengthening disease surveillance and preparedness.

The Natiional Strategic Plan [NSP] having captured the input of all relevant stakeholders serves as a roadmap for national development and policy direction in a crucial move geared towards defining Kenya's vision and strategies to achieve public health security as envisioned by the World Health Organization [WHO].

Besides,it seeks to address key public health challenges, including identifying priority health issues, setting goals and objectives, allocating resources, and outlining strategies to improve the health of a population across the country.

This is imperative in the overall mandate of coordination for Kenya’s public health activities in prevention, and early detection of public health emergencies and events of concern.

The KNPHI was established under the state corporation ACT CAP 466 through a gazette notice to consolidate and coordinate key activities in public health, including prevention, early detection of public health emergencies.

15/11/2025

15/11/2025

According to national medical and veterinary records, Kenya reports atleast ten outbreaks each year involving animals and humans.

Early detection and response to Anthrax outbreaks is key to preventing further spread of the disease in livestock and spill-over to humans.

12/11/2025

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 [𝐏𝐏𝐑]

Communities, through daily decisions and actions, influence the trajectory of an epidemic – whether prevention measures, community-based surveillance, testing or vaccine uptake.

As a result, the Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] is conducting a critical activity aimed at placing communities at the centre of pandemic preparedness and response in readiness for health emergencies.

Dr Kamene Kimenye - acting Director General of KNPHI called for adequate empowerment of communities with relevant knowledge, practical tools, and the necessary confidence, which are key in the capacity to act decisively and swiftly to protect themselves and the wider population.

"​It is evident that effective pandemic preparedness and response must be fundamentally anchored at the community leve.Our communities are not merely passive recipients of public health directives; they function as our essential first responders.The sustained empowerment of our communities remains one of the most powerful and strategic approaches in the prevention and management of public health emergencies" she said.

Timely, accessible and relevant way for evidence-informed decisions, and strengthening risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) and infodemic management capacities are very significant to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to public health emergencies (PHE), with an emphasis on enhancing disease prevention.

The workshop which also focuses on safeguarding vulnerable populations and people with disabilities is being supported by relevant partners led by AMREF Kenya, the Kenya Red Cross, and dedicated Stop TB Partnership including CHAK, KUP (Kenya Union of the Blind) and Civil Society Organizations

The global health emergency landscape is evolving rapidly, with crises becoming more frequent and complex. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic exposed critical gaps in preparedness and response, underscoring the urgent need for stronger coordinated action.

12/11/2025

Strengthening Kenya's Public Health capacity

11/11/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚

The Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] has organized a one week workshop bringing multiple stakeholders on board to strengthen county-level capacity in Mpox and Cholera preparedness and response through targeted and training sensitization activities in Mombasa County.

Speaking earlier today during the official opening of the activity ,KNPHI acting Director General Dr Kamene Kimenye said the workshop is dedicated to the imperative task of enhancing the capacity of health care workers with special focus squarely placed upon three core areas: improved Mpox and Cholera Case Management, the provision of essential Mental Health Support, and rigorous standards in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).

She lauded the collaboration with key partners led by Africa CDC who are event sponsors for their unwavering commitment to strengthening Kenya's national readiness and comprehensive response to the challenges posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

"This collaboration exemplifies the robust and effective partnership that exists between the Republic of Kenya and our continental institutions in the crucial endeavour of capacity building for disease preparedness and response. We note that the Africa CDC's Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan underscores the vital importance of country readiness IPC protocols, and community engagement- -all of which form the direct subject matter of this workshop" she said

"Furthermore, we are deeply appreciative of GIZ's consistent commitment to reinforcing public health systems across the African continent, recognizing the fundamental principle that true health security originates at the community level" her statement added

Mombasa has been prioritized due to the high number of confirmed Mpox cases among vulnerable populations and the associated case fatality rate. The county also remains at risk for cholera transmission, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance, case management, IPC, and WASH interventions.

The country is actively engaged in responding to two concurent and significant public health challenges: Mpox and Cholera which have rigorously tested the elasticity and operational resiliences of the health system, particularly within high-risk settings such as urban centres, where demographic density, commercial trade, and cross-border mobilty inherently elevate the risk of pathogen transmission.

This training workshop which also involves community health workers that constitute the indispensable core of Kenya's national health defence seeks to strengtnen mechanisms for field assessment and supportive supervision, thereby ensuring that the competencies acquired in Mombasa can be successfully and uniformly replicated across other high-risk counties.

06/11/2025

The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), in collaboration with its partners, brings to you the 1st Kenya Health Security Convention (KHSC) scheduled to take place from 5th to 8th May, 2026, in Mombasa.

The inaugural event will bring together policymakers, scientists, healthcare professionals, security experts, One Health practitioners, industry leaders, and a host of multi-sectoral stakeholders to share knowledge, innovations, and strategies for building resilient public health systems and enhancing emergency preparedness and response.

The theme for the 2026 KHSC is “Advancing Health Security Through Science, Innovation, and Equity.”

For details, visit the convention website at www.khsc.site.
Please share this widely in your circles.

04/11/2025

Meet Alice Silantoi,the survivor of Human Brucellosis from Narok County.

She remains optimistic that the testing guidelines launched today will propose the adoption of the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) which is a cost-effective and accurate diagnostic tool for human brucellosis.

Adoption of RBT nationally would significantly reduce the misdiagnosis rate, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.

04/11/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐕𝐅 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

The Government of Kenya through multisectoral approach has launched and disseminated the Rift Valley Fever contingency plan and the Human Brucellosis testing guidelines in a significant step aimed at providing a structured pre-defined framework for early detection,rapid response and coordinated action across human and animal health sectors ultimately reducing the impact on lives and livelihoods.

Speaking during the event,the Principal Secretary of Public Health and Professional Standards Ms Mary Muthoni said both RVF and Brucellosis are amongst the top 5 priority zoonotic diseases, at number 4 and 5 respectively, due to the significant threat the diseases pose to both human and animal health, as well as the substantial socio-economic losses associated with the diseases.

She emphasized need for strong coordination between veterinary services and public health authorities which is crucial for effective surveillance and control programs.

"The Rift Valley Fever contingency plan we are launching today will play a key role in providing a One Health framework for early warning, preparedness, response and recovery from RVF outbreaks.Brucellosis on the other hand poses a significant burden to our people.Coordination and collaboration with the animal health and environment sectors will be key in strengthening the preparedness, prevention and early warning strategies and prevent spill over to humans." part of her speech read

Her counterpart in the State Department for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno in a speech read on his behalf reaffirmed collective commitment to protecting public health, livestock productivity, and ecosystem integrity through the One Health approach.

He said both diseases are climate-sensitive zoonotic diseases that directly affect the health of the people and livestock, and indirectly impact food security and the economy.

The One Health approach provides a platform for multisectoral coordination across government, research institutions, and communities. It ensures that environmental information is not treated in isolation but is used to guide public health action and livestock interventions.

The acting Director General of KNPHI Dr Kamene Kimenye lauded the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Liverpool for funding and facilitating the development of these documents and for their continuous support in capacity building in the context of One Health

The two tools through the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) which is KNPHI’S key division were developed courtesy of a consultative process with subject matter experts from the human, animal and environment health sectors at the national and county levels.

Also present at the function were representatives from State Department of Livestock Development, ILRI,World Health Organization [WHO],Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization [KALRO],Kenya Medical Research Institute [KEMRI],AMREF Kenya,Academia,Counties among others.