Principal Secretary (PS) for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has held consultations with representatives of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union Commission on preparations for the Extraordinary Summit on African Manufacturing, scheduled for 3–5 December 2026 in Nairobi.
The engagement also reviewed activities supporting President William Ruto’s role as the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Health Products.
Guided by the ‘Road to Nairobi’ plan, the meeting assessed progress made by the Government of Kenya, Africa CDC and the African Union Commission, and identified priority actions, required to ensure timely and coordinated preparations for the Summit.
The high-level convening, seeks to translate Africa’s political commitment to local manufacturing into coordinated action, strategic investment, and accelerated implementation at national and continental levels.
It will bring together African Heads of State and Government, ministers, African Union organs, regulatory and procurement authorities, manufacturers, financiers, investors, international organisations, and development partners.
During the consultations, Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing local manufacturing of health products through investment, market shaping, stronger regulatory systems, research and development, and technology transfer.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen quality standards, digitise the health-products supply chain through the Track and Trace system, and reduce the cost of health products and technologies.
“These interventions will improve affordability, availability, and access while strengthening Kenya’s contribution to Africa’s health security and self-reliance,” Dr. Oluga assured.
The PS committed to fast-tracking the necessary actions and ensuring that preparations are aligned with Government of Kenya and African Union procedures.
The Africa CDC and AUC delegation comprised Shanelle Hall, Principal Advisor to the Director General, Dr Claudes Kamenga, Chief of Staff to the Director General, Ambassador Tordeta Ratebaye Alexandre, Strategic Advisor to the Director General, Patience Kente, AU Policy Officer; Dr Lul Pout Riek, Regional Director, RCC East Africa, and Kevin Irandagiye, Project Manager for the Extraordinary Summit.
Also present were Dr Nicholas Muraguri, representing PS Sing’oei, Dr Nazila Ganatra, Director, DHPT, Dr Omar Albush, Director, HSCRD, Raymond Ouma from the Office of the Principal Secretary; and Dr Stephen Njuguna and Dr Rabera Kenyanya of DHPT
By Michael Omondi
