KNPHI to host Health Security Convention to bridge research and policy

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 19 – The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) will convene its inaugural Kenya Health Security Convention (KHSC) in May, as part of efforts to strengthen the translation of research into policy and promote uptake of innovation across the health sector.

The four-day forum, set for May 5 to 8, 2026 in Mombasa, is expected to bring together policymakers, researchers, health practitioners, and development partners to address long-standing gaps between scientific evidence and decision-making.

Acting Director General Kamene Kimenye said the convention is designed to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stronger coordination across institutions involved in public health.

The event comes amid a broader shift toward a prevention-led health security model, as Kenya faces increasing risks from disease outbreaks, climate-related health challenges, and future pandemics.

KNPHI is positioning the forum as a platform to identify priority health challenges, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and enhance the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.

By convening stakeholders from multiple sectors, the institute aims to break institutional silos and reinforce its mandate of coordinating key public health functions, including surveillance, prevention, and emergency response.

According to the World Health Organization, health security involves both proactive and reactive measures required to minimize the impact of public health events, including those that cross borders such as pandemics and disasters.

The biennial convention will feature research dissemination sessions, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and plenary forums, providing a platform for shaping Kenya’s health security agenda while advancing universal health coverage and broader economic goals.