Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Friday held talks with Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Matsuura Hiroshi, in a meeting that took stock of the commitments made during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development-TICAD 9.
The session reaffirmed the growing partnership between the two countries in strengthening Kenya’s health system.
Duale added that Kenya is keen on deepening global collaborations those anchored in SDG 17 in particular as the country pushes forward with key priorities such as Universal Health Coverage, stronger health security, and a well-developed local manufacturing sector.
He says this long-standing cooperation guided by the 2021 Memorandum of Cooperation and the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative continues to align Kenya closely with Japan’s vision for sustainable development across Africa.
According to the CS, the government has already started implementing a number of the TICAD 9 commitments.
To this end, an internal coordination framework has already been developed within the Ministry of Health to fast-track the implementation.
He cited the recently signed MoU with Toyota Tsusho Corporation as a tangible example of AfHWIN in action introducing technology transfer, specialized medical services, and increased private-sector investment into the country. These, he added, are all integral pillars of the BETA.
Duale restated Kenya’s pursuit to increase its pharmaceuticals and vaccine production capacity, emphasizing that the ambition is to position the country as a regional hub.
He added that operationalizing the Kenya Biovax Institute remains a priority and that the government is seeking Japan’s technical expertise and financing support to accelerate technology transfer and attract Japanese pharmaceutical firms under the African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package.
During the discussions, Kenya and Japan agreed to consider a Joint Technical Working Group to drive key action areas, including the implementation of the Toyota Tsusho MoU and enhancement of collaboration between the KNPHI and the Japan Institute for Health Security.
Duale added that the new partnership will enhance disease prevention, laboratory capacity, and pandemic preparedness milestones well captured in Kenya’s long-term UHC and health security agenda.
He was accompanied by Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services.
