BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo — Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Public Health, Dr. Mary Muthoni, has been elected Chairperson of African Permanent and Principal Secretaries for Health, marking a major leadership role in continental health governance.
Her election took place during a high-level consultative meeting on cross-border collaboration for health security held in Brazzaville, where senior health officials from across Africa convened to strengthen coordination on disease control and emergency preparedness.
The appointment positions Kenya at the centre of continental efforts to harmonise public health strategies, improve surveillance systems, and enhance collective response to cross-border health threats.
According to the meeting outcomes, Dr. Muthoni’s leadership is expected to deepen collaboration among African health ministries, particularly in areas of epidemic preparedness, data sharing, and rapid response mechanisms.
The role also places emphasis on strengthening partnerships aimed at building resilient health systems capable of responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases across the continent.
Officials noted that the appointment reflects growing recognition of Kenya’s role in shaping regional health policy and advancing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which remains a key priority for many African governments.
The forum in Brazzaville brought together senior health officials tasked with coordinating continental health strategies under shared frameworks designed to improve efficiency and reduce disparities in healthcare delivery across member states.
Dr. Muthoni’s election is expected to enhance Kenya’s influence in mobilising technical and financial partnerships, as well as facilitating the exchange of innovations and best practices in public health management.
The position also underscores a broader commitment by African states to strengthen institutional cooperation through structured leadership forums that support joint planning and implementation of health programmes.
Dr. Muthoni is expected to steer the forum’s agenda toward improved regional integration in health security, with a focus on timely information sharing and coordinated response frameworks.
Her election adds to Kenya’s growing footprint in regional and international health governance platforms, reflecting increased engagement in shaping policy direction across Africa’s public health landscape.
