Over 1,500 delegates expected as Nairobi hosts regional health security summit

Kenya has stepped up preparations to host the second Eastern Africa Regional Global Health Security Summit (EARGHSS 2026), scheduled for January 27 to 29 at the Safari Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Nairobi.

The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, on Friday chaired a high-level preparatory meeting bringing together national, regional and international stakeholders to take stock of progress and align final plans ahead of the summit.

Held under the theme “Catalysing Collaboration and Local Manufacturing of Health Products for Africa’s Sovereign Health Security,” the forum will focus on strengthening regional collaboration, improving preparedness and response to disease outbreaks, and accelerating local manufacturing of essential health products, including medicines, vaccines and medical supplies.

Organisers expect the summit to draw more than 1,500 participants from government, the private sector, development partners, academia and the wider health community across Eastern Africa and beyond.

The three-day meeting is expected to culminate in the adoption of key regional commitments aimed at bolstering health security, alongside the official launch of Kenya’s Local Manufacturing Strategy for Health Products. The strategy is seen as a critical step in reducing reliance on imports and positioning Kenya as a regional hub for health product manufacturing.