Kenya to host inaugural Health Security Convention

The event will bring together policymakers, scientists, One Health practitioners, health professionals, emergency teams, security experts, industry leaders, academia, development partners, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, innovations, and strategies for strengthening health systems and enhancing pandemic preparedness and response.

Under the theme "Advancing Health Security through Science, Innovation and Equity", the event, set to take place in Mombasa, Kenya, aims to address the urgent need to bridge the gap among research, policy, and practice in public health security.

According to the Acting Director General of KNPHI, Dr Kamene Kimenye, the Convention provides a platform for multisectoral collaboration to develop resilient health systems capable of addressing emerging diseases, climate-related health risks, and future pandemics. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s national health security strategies and global commitments under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.

"The convention is a great opportunity for public health stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening health security and emergency preparedness," Dr. Kamene remarked. "It aims to promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange across all sectors involved in public health protection."

She further called upon partners and stakeholders to support the initiative by providing technical expertise, policy guidance, and resources that enhance Kenya’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. "Their involvement will be instrumental in translating evidence into impactful public health interventions," she added.

KHSC will also strengthen KNPHI’s mandate by convening stakeholders to translate evidence into action, break sectoral silos, and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key component of the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

The biennial event will bring together delegates from across the country and beyond to tackle critical challenges and explore opportunities shaping Kenya's health security landscape. Over four transformative days, participants will engage in research dissemination forums, high-level panel discussions, parallel workshops, exhibitions, and plenary sessions.