Kenya has outlined a new phase of health cooperation with the United Kingdom, focusing on improving national preparedness, strengthening the Social Health Authority (SHA), and supporting the country’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale detailed the commitments after hosting a UK delegation in Nairobi.

The delegation was led by Dr. Ed Barnett, the UK Chargé d’Affaires, during a bilateral meeting aimed at tightening collaboration between the two governments in disease surveillance, research, technology, and local manufacturing.

Duale said the meeting would accelerate joint programmes already underway.

“Hosted a delegation from the United Kingdom led by Dr. Ed Barnett, the UK Chargé d’Affaires to Kenya, for a bilateral meeting focused on strengthening our shared health priorities and fast-tracking Kenya’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” he stated.

Focus on Outbreak Preparedness and National Readiness

According to the CS, the consultations underscored the strategic value of UK expertise in preparing Kenya for future epidemics and emerging disease threats.

“Our discussions highlighted the value Kenya stands to gain from the UK’s expertise in outbreak analytics, laboratory systems strengthening, simulation-based preparedness and high-threat pathogen response, capabilities essential as we reinforce cross-border surveillance and improve national readiness for emerging health threats,” he said.

Kenya and the UK also identified high-priority areas for joint technical support to boost local medical manufacturing.

Duale reaffirmed that the government is expanding partnerships to enable counties to host manufacturing hubs and to help Kenya integrate into global pharmaceutical markets.

“We identified priority areas for targeted technical support, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, technology transfer, quality assurance and digital product-authentication systems to expand Kenya’s local manufacturing capacity,” he added.

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Strengthening SHA Through UK NHS Digital Expertise

Duale briefed the UK officials on the reforms under the Social Health Authority, noting that London could help Kenya modernise digital governance in its health insurance systems.

“I briefed the delegation on ongoing reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and leveraging on the UK’s strong track record in National Health Service (NHS) digital governance, we identified clear opportunities for collaboration,” he said.

The meeting also discussed how to accelerate research, diagnostics and innovation through the UK–Kenya Health Global Innovation Network.

“We also emphasized the need to grow a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem through the UK–Kenya Health Global Innovation Network, focusing on artificial-intelligence-enabled diagnostics, early-screening technologies, and commercialisation of home-grown innovations,” Duale noted.

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Expanding Kenya–UK Health Alliance Collaboration

Duale said the engagement reinforced the centrality of research and oncology partnerships under the Kenya–UK Health Alliance.

“The meeting reaffirmed the central role of research, technology and innovation within the Kenya–UK Health Alliance, which continues to strengthen oncology services, molecular diagnostics, palliative care, clinical research, cancer-centre partnerships, virtual tumour boards and UK-based oncology fellowships,” he said.

He also referenced Kenya’s new Health and Data Sharing Cooperation Framework with the United States, which was signed in November.

“I also underscored our recently signed Health and Data Sharing Cooperation Framework with the United States, witnessed by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, and the upcoming World Health Summit Africa, which Kenya will host in April 2026 under the theme, ‘Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence.'”

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CS Duale in Company of Senior Ministry of Health Officials, including Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, NPHI Director General Dr Maureen Kamene and Family Health Directorate Representative Dr Joel Gondi, Together with Dr. Ed Barnett, the UK Chargé d’Affaires, during A Bilateral Meeting Aimed at Tightening Collaboration Between the Two Governments in Disease Surveillance. PHOTO/ Duale X