Why One Health must shape Kenya’s public health future
KEPHIC 2026 to advance One Health Approach in Kenya The post Why One Health must shape Kenya’s public health future appeared first on KBC Digital .
Public health is not solely about hospital care; it extends to homes, communities, schools, workplaces, farms, and markets. The safety of food and water, environmental conditions, and a health system's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to threats all contribute to human well-being. Recognizing this interconnectedness is the guiding principle behind the Kenya Public Health International Conference 2026, which will be held in Nairobi from October 27-29, 2026.
The theme, "One Health, Shared Future," emphasizes the need for collaboration between various sectors to protect public health. The conference will bring together government officials, health professionals, researchers, universities, regulators, development partners, the private sector, civil society, young people, and Community Health Promoters.
This diverse group will strengthen collaboration with animal health, agriculture, food safety, water, and environmental sectors. Kenya has made significant progress in public health through policy reform, governance improvements, and sustained investment. Initiatives like Universal Health Coverage, primary health-care networks, the community health strategy, and Taifa Care are bringing essential services closer to households.
These reforms reinforce the importance of a strong health system that protects people from illness while providing quality care when needed. A key component of the conference will be promoting a One Health approach, which integrates health, agriculture, livestock, wildlife, environment, water, trade, and other sectors to assess risks, share information, and coordinate action.
This approach is crucial for addressing threats such as infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, floods, droughts, heat, and environmental degradation. Community Health Promoters will play a vital role in translating the One Health approach into practical action by bringing a household perspective to discussions and supporting disease prevention at the community level.
The conference will also focus on using research, data, digital tools, and locally relevant innovation to address surveillance, service delivery, prevention, and emergency response. It will emphasize the importance of addressing both infectious and noncommunicable diseases in a comprehensive public health system. Ultimately, the success of KEPHIC 2026 will depend on the concrete policy recommendations, stronger sector coordination, practical commitments, and an accountability framework that emerge from the discussions.
By recognizing our interdependence and acting together, Kenya can build a healthier future for present and future generations.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
