Kenya has received international recognition at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva after officially being certified for eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), widely known as sleeping sickness.
The certification was awarded by the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing Kenya’s sustained efforts in public health, strong leadership, and effective multi-sector collaboration in the fight against the neglected tropical disease.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Kenya’s Ministry of Health, describing the achievement as a major public health milestone. Here is a rewritten version with smoother flow and a stronger news style while preserving the meaning:
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the recognition as a significant achievement for both the Government and the people of Kenya, saying it reflects decades of dedication, resilience, and coordinated efforts by national and county governments, healthcare workers, researchers, and development partners.
For more than 100 years, sleeping sickness remained a major public health concern in several parts of western Kenya, including Busia, Bungoma, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Narok counties.
However, through enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures, Kenya has not recorded any locally transmitted cases since 2009. After receiving validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2025 and making a national announcement in August 2025, the country has officially maintained its elimination status.
CS Duale attributed the success to the affected communities whose cooperation and trust strengthened prevention and surveillance efforts. He also acknowledged the contribution of frontline health workers, laboratory teams, county administrations, and national health experts who played a key role in improving diagnosis and response systems.
While celebrating the milestone, he emphasized that elimination does not mark the end of the battle. He stressed the importance of continued vigilance through sustained surveillance, early case detection, vector control measures, and integrating Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) services into routine healthcare systems.
He further reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to sharing lessons learned and supporting regional initiatives aimed at eliminating neglected tropical diseases across Africa, highlighting the country’s continued role in promoting global health equity.
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