Kenya and Ethiopia have taken a major step to safeguard communities along their shared border by agreeing on a structured partnership to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the agreement following discussions with Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr Mekdes Daba Feyssa during the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union.
Duale said both countries, as signatories to the International Health Regulations (2005) and partners within the Africa CDC framework, will establish formal mechanisms to address public health threats affecting both sides of the border.
“Our discussions focused on shared health security challenges along the Moyale–Marsabit corridor, where highly mobile populations, including pastoralists, traders and humanitarian actors, heighten the risk of cross-border transmission of infectious and zoonotic diseases,” Duale said.
The Moyale–Marsabit border has long been considered a high-risk area due to constant movement of people and livestock between the two nations, which increases vulnerability to disease outbreaks.
Key areas of cooperation will include joint and genomic surveillance, stronger laboratory connections, emergency preparedness and coordination, One Health collaboration, and health workforce development. Duale said these initiatives will enhance early detection and rapid response to threats such as cholera, measles, Rift Valley fever, and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
“We also committed to aligning Public Health Emergency Operations Centre coordination, exploring pooled emergency stockpiles for critical supplies and undertaking joint after-action reviews,” he said.
He added that the partnership will integrate human, animal, and environmental health systems to reflect the pastoralist nature of communities in the region.
“Given the pastoralist context, we will reinforce a One Health approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health systems, including surveillance for transboundary zoonoses and climate-sensitive early warning,” he added.
Duale emphasized that Kenya is ready to formalize the arrangement through a bilateral framework that will operationalize cross-border health security, safeguard communities, and strengthen regional health systems.
The Kenyan delegation included Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga, Head of Family Health Dr Bashir Issak, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dr Ahmed Omar, and Director of Health Standards Dr Lucy Musyoka.
Separately, Duale also met Ghana’s Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to explore ways to accelerate Universal Health Coverage.
“Our discussions centered on strengthening Kenya–Ghana cooperation to accelerate access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare for our people,” Duale said.
The two countries identified priority areas including health workforce development, sustainable health financing, local production of medical products and technologies, and expansion of digital health systems.
“We agreed to pursue structured joint frameworks for workforce training and exchange, align on innovative financing models to safeguard long-term health investments and develop a shared roadmap to expand regional manufacturing capacity,” he said.
Additionally, Kenya and Ghana will pilot interoperable digital health initiatives to strengthen primary healthcare networks and improve service delivery outcomes.
