The government has reaffirmed its commitment to fully operationalizing the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), a move aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
Speaking during a workshop in Mombasa to sensitize County Directors of Health on KNPHI’s mandate, Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth emphasized that the institute will play a crucial role in strengthening Kenya’s health security. By consolidating public health functions such as surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response, KNPHI will ensure the country’s compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and reinforce data-driven decision-making.
“The Ministry leadership fully supports the operationalization of KNPHI in spearheading Kenya’s public health agenda. With emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, structured coordination is necessary to safeguard public health security,” Amoth stated.
Before its establishment in 2022, Kenya’s public health functions were fragmented across multiple vertical programs, leading to inefficiencies in surveillance and emergency response. To address this, a presidential directive under the State Corporations Act CAP 466 led to KNPHI’s formation.
KNPHI Acting Director General Dr. Kamene Kimenye acknowledged the government’s unwavering support in shaping the institute’s structure towards becoming a fully autonomous Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA). She emphasized that robust public health capabilities at the national level are key to global health security.
The transition process is progressing, with 456 staff members from 13 divisions under the Ministry of Health being vested into KNPHI. These divisions include Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Zoonotic Diseases, National Public Health Laboratories, Port Health, Food Safety, and Antimicrobial Resistance, among others.
According to Simon Indimuli, Chair of the KNPHI Taskforce Operationalisation, employees accepting the transition will be placed on the KNPHI payroll under interim terms, with service conditions set to improve within two months. Those opting to remain in the Ministry will be redeployed.
Globally, national public health institutes serve as the frontline defense against pandemics and disease outbreaks. Kenya’s KNPHI is poised to enhance public health coordination, ensuring a more effective and resilient response to emerging health challenges.
