• Held under the theme “Catalysing Collaboration and Local Manufacturing of Health Products for Africa’s Sovereign Health Security,” the summit will spotlight efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, bolster preparedness for disease outbreaks, and accelerate the production of essential health products—including medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies—within the continent.
Kenya has intensified preparations for the upcoming 2nd Eastern Africa Regional Global Health Security Summit (EARGHSS 2026), set to take place from January 27 to 29 at the Safari Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Nairobi.

The Principal Secretary (PS) for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, on Thursday, January 16, 2026 chaired a high-level meeting bringing together national, regional, and international stakeholders to align final logistics and review progress ahead of the summit.

The gathering marks a critical moment in Kenya’s push to position itself as a regional leader in health security and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Held under the theme “Catalysing Collaboration and Local Manufacturing of Health Products for Africa’s Sovereign Health Security,” the summit will spotlight efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, bolster preparedness for disease outbreaks, and accelerate the production of essential health products—including medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies—within the continent.

Over 1,500 participants are expected to attend, representing government agencies, private sector players, development partners, academic institutions, and the broader health community. The summit will culminate in the adoption of key regional commitments aimed at reducing dependency on imports and reinforcing Africa’s health sovereignty.

"It will culminate in the adoption of key regional commitments and the launch of Kenya’s Local Manufacturing Strategy for Health Products, reinforcing the country’s leadership in advancing health security across Eastern Africa," the Ministry of Health says.

Among the institutions actively involved in the preparatory process are Kenya Vision 2030, led by Dr. Emmanuel Nzai; the Africa CDC East Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, chaired by Dr. Lucy Mazyanga Masaba; Health Products and Technologies (HPT); the Kenya BioVax Institute; the Directorate of Health Sector Coordination; and senior officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

As the countdown begins, Kenya’s health leadership is keen to ensure that EARGHSS 2026 delivers not just dialogue, but actionable strategies that will shape the region’s health resilience for years to come.