Ruto Lets US Govt Agency Set Up Office In Nairobi

President William Ruto on Monday, July 17 announced that his government gave the green light for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to set up a regional office in Nairobi.

The Head of State hosted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya at State House alongside Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha and Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni.

In a statement, Ruto hailed CDC Africa as a high-value resource and partner for public health in the country and across Africa.

"The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Africa is an invaluable resource and partner for public health in Kenya and across the continent. Kenya looks forward to strengthening our health institutions through scaling up our collaboration with Africa CDC in laboratory systems, emergency preparedness and response, research and surveillance.

President William Ruto with CS Susan Nakhumicha and PS Mary Muthoni alongside Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya at State House, Nairobi on July 17, 2023. /PCS

"Discussed enhancing the capacity of the Kenyan health system with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, State House. Agreed to facilitate the setting up of a regional office in Nairobi," Ruto stated.

The meeting comes almost a week after Kenya expressed its pleasure in hosting the 11th Ordinary Session of the Governing Board of the Africa CDC in Nairobi. 

CS Nakhumicha highlighted Kenya's commitment to the Africa CDC's mission, which aims to strengthen the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions in detecting and responding swiftly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks.

"The hosting of two crucial meetings, namely the Advisory and Technical Council on Monday, July 10th, and the 11th Governing Board, demonstrates Kenya's pivotal role in advancing public health initiatives across the continent, she said during the opening of the session. 

"This aligns with the commitment of His Excellency Dr William Ruto, who has accepted the role of Africa CDC Champion for Local Vaccine Manufacturing in line with the African Union's Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing Framework," the Ministry of Health stated on Wednesday, July 12.

Underlining Kenya's position as a regional hub for health and innovation, the nation also acknowledged its responsibility as the host of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Centre on behalf of 14 African Union Member States in the Eastern Africa Region.

Kenya also expressed its deep commitment to leveraging this opportunity to enhance collaboration, coordination, and communication among countries in the Eastern region and beyond.

“With a keen focus on the New Public Health Order for Africa, Kenya reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the session's success by providing necessary resources and infrastructure,” CS Nakhumicha stated at the time.

CDC is a national public health agency of the United States (US) and a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

President William Ruto interacts with Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya at State House, Nairobi on July 17, 2023. /PCS