Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has emphasised the urgent need to strengthen public health systems along Africa’s major transport routes.
He noted that increased mobility contributes to the spread of diseases and impacts regional development.
Speaking at the 2nd Transport Corridors and Health Conference at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), CS Duale cited recent public health threats—including the Marburg virus in Ethiopia, anthrax cases in Kenya, and cholera outbreaks across East Africa—as clear reminders of vulnerabilities along key transport corridors such as the Northern Corridor.
The conference was held under the theme “Innovations and Partnerships for Healthy and Prosperous Corridors”.
Convened by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, the meeting brought together regional experts to discuss strategies integrating health, trade, and development while supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
CS Duale noted that corridor health challenges extend beyond infectious diseases, highlighting the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, mental health concerns, driver fatigue, substance use, and road safety issues, which directly affect regional security and economic productivity.
He highlighted Kenya’s progress in strengthening cross-border surveillance, improving laboratory coordination, and expanding genomic monitoring capacity.
Duale also commended innovative initiatives such as the North Star Alliance’s Blue Box/Roadside Wellness Centres, which served over 200,000 clients with essential health services last year.
The CS underscored the importance of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data-driven planning to enhance early detection, response, and prevention along transport routes.
He called for sustained partnerships among governments, regional institutions, the private sector, researchers, and communities to comprehensively address corridor health challenges.
Duale urged stakeholders to prioritize practical solutions and long-term financing, stressing that transport corridors must serve not only as channels for trade but also as pathways to opportunity, resilience, and improved health outcomes.
The conference brought together leaders and technical experts from across the region, including KEMRI Director General Prof. Elijah Songok, North Star Alliance Chairperson Bernard Kadasia, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni, and IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya Dr. Fatma Adan, among other dignitaries.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
