Kenya’s Preparedness for Future Health Crises Questioned
May 10, 2025 — Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya’s ability to respond to future health emergencies is under growing scrutiny as healthcare professionals, civil society groups, and health policy analysts raise alarm over persistent systemic weaknesses exposed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite efforts by the government to strengthen public health infrastructure, critics argue that unpaid healthcare workers, supply chain gaps, and limited emergency response coordination continue to undermine national preparedness. The situation has prompted fears that the country remains dangerously vulnerable in the face of potential future outbreaks or pandemics.
“We learned hard lessons during COVID-19, but unfortunately, many of those lessons have not been acted upon,” said Dr. Mercy Wanjiku, a public health expert at the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. “Our frontline workers are still overworked, underpaid, and in some cases, not paid at all.”
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) recently warned that delayed salaries and lack of basic protective equipment have demoralized healthcare workers across the country. Strikes and go-slows in several counties have become increasingly common, disrupting services and revealing the fragility of healthcare systems.
“There can be no preparedness without protecting the people we rely on during crises,” said KMPDU Secretary-General Dr. Davji Bhimji. “If healthcare workers are not supported, how can we expect a swift and effective response when the next emergency hits?”
In addition to workforce challenges, Kenya’s emergency health systems — including disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and rapid response infrastructure — remain underfunded. A recent report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) noted that many counties lack operational emergency operation centers, while stockpiles of critical medical supplies are either insufficient or poorly maintained.
The Ministry of Health maintains that it is working to improve resilience through reforms, including the establishment of a National Public Health Institute and digitization of health data systems. However, implementation delays and funding constraints have slowed progress.
“We acknowledge the challenges and are committed to addressing them,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha. “Strengthening preparedness is a continuous process that requires cooperation at all levels of government.”
As the world braces for future health threats — from climate-linked diseases to emerging zoonotic outbreaks — Kenya’s readiness will be tested not just by policy declarations but by the reality on the ground.
