Kenya played host to the inaugural African Regional Conference on the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) bringing together 49 African countries in Nairobi from November 26th to 28th, 2025.
Prime Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr Musalia Mudavadi in his speech observed that advances in life sciences, biotechnology, and frontier research and technology, such as artificial intelligence, are transforming economies, healthcare, agriculture, security and social well-being, noting that the same advances also create complex risks if misused, whether intentionally or inadvertently.
In the speech read on his behalf by Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak, the Principal Secretary State Department for Science, Research and Innovation said the convention is not only about preventing misuse of biology but also about enabling all nations to safely harness the power of science for peaceful, equitable, and sustainable development.
The Biological Weapons Convention remains the cornerstone of global and regional efforts to prevent the development, production, and use of biological weapons and to promote the peaceful application of biology for sustainable development.
“Allow me to extend warm greetings from His Excellency, Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and to reaffirm Kenya’s unwavering commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention,” read the speech.
In addition to the 49 African countries, the convention brought on board the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Under-Secretary-General and High Representative H.E Izumi Nakamitsu, The High Commissioner for Canada to Kenya H.E Joshua Tabah, Chargee d’Affaires Embassy of the United States of America to Kenya Ms. Susan Burns and H.E. Frederico Meyer, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil among other distinguished guests.
Kenya’s key strategies and measures in implementing the Biological Weapons Convention include the designation of a National Focal Point – the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) to coordinate national implementation of the Convention, as well as the annual submission of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) within the East African Community, Kenya is a leader in CBM submissions.
PCS Musalia said that Kenya appreciates that it has shared best practices, particularly in preparing and submitting Confidence-Building Measures.
“Kenya has adopted a whole-of-government and multi-agency approach by involving various ministries, agencies, research institutions, and other relevant bodies in responding to biological incidents and in developing national implementation frameworks such as the Biosecurity Bill and Policy, the Strategic Goods Control Bill, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Preparedness, Prevention, and Response Action Plan.” Said the Prime Cabinet Secretary in his speech.
While we are waiting to enact the Strategic Goods Control Bill into law, the Ministry of Health has established a multi-agency committee responsible for the technical review and advisory oversight of biological samples designated for export.
Kenya has been at the frontline in the universalisation of the Convention. It has convened several workshops and regional conferences on biological weapons, disarmament, and biosecurity. These engagements have focused on countering the threat of biological weapons by terrorist groups and enhancing national laboratory systems, particularly in the safe storage and containment of highly infectious biological agents.
Kenya is taking significant steps to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. The Ministry of Health has developed Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Policy Guidelines as well as a Laboratory Biorisk Management Curriculum. In addition, the Ministry of Education, through Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), launched a Bachelor’s degree in Biosafety and Biosecurity in 2024 to bridge the gap in Global Health Security.
By Joseph Kamolo Mutua
