Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has been appointed Chair of Continental Immunization Task Force 4 by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a role expected to strengthen Kenya’s contribution to the continent’s immunisation agenda.
Muthoni announced the appointment, describing it as an opportunity for Kenya to contribute to shaping Africa’s immunisation priorities and accelerate implementation of the Continental Immunization Strategy 2026–2030.
She said her focus would be on aligning partnerships with national priorities, promoting sustainable immunisation financing, addressing barriers to vaccine access and strengthening accountability for results.
The PS expressed gratitude to Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya for the confidence placed in her, adding that she looked forward to working with African Union member states, Africa CDC and other partners to expand equitable access to vaccines and strengthen public health systems across the continent.
The appointment comes as African countries intensify efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, vaccination programmes and emergency preparedness amid recurring public health threats, including Ebola outbreaks.
Africa CDC plays a central role in coordinating continental responses to infectious disease emergencies, working with national public health institutions, the World Health Organization and other partners to improve surveillance, laboratory capacity, information sharing and cross-border coordination.
During Ebola outbreaks, the agency supports affected countries through the coordination of emergency response efforts, deployment of public health expertise, strengthening of laboratory testing and surveillance, and mobilisation of resources to contain transmission.
It also works with national authorities to improve infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, support contact tracing and strengthen risk communication and community engagement.
These interventions are particularly important in the African region, where population movement across borders can complicate efforts to contain infectious diseases.
The ongoing Ebola response has underscored the importance of strong health systems, rapid detection of suspected cases, effective outbreak coordination and equitable access to vaccines and other medical countermeasures.
Muthoni’s new role is therefore expected to contribute to broader continental efforts to improve immunisation coverage and strengthen health security, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities.
Sustainable financing remains a major priority, as African countries seek to reduce dependence on external funding and ensure that routine immunisation programmes can be maintained alongside emergency vaccination campaigns.
The Continental Immunization Strategy 2026–2030 provides a framework for strengthening immunisation delivery, expanding vaccine access and improving coordination among governments and development partners.
Through the task force, Muthoni will work with continental stakeholders to advance these priorities and promote accountability for immunisation outcomes.
Her appointment places Kenya within a continental platform focused on addressing persistent vaccination gaps and building more resilient public health systems capable of responding to future disease outbreaks.
