WOAH Director General visits Kenya to strengthen regional animal health and One Health collaboration

KENYA– The Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Emmanuelle Soubeyran, concluded a series of high-level engagements in Kenya this week, highlighting the country’s pivotal role in advancing animal health, food safety, and sustainable livestock development across Eastern Africa.

At Farmer’s Choice, Soubeyran was received by CEO Felisters Gitau Mutugu alongside Dr. Allan Azegele, Kenya’s Director of Veterinary Services and Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. 

Discussions emphasised the critical link between robust veterinary systems, safe and traceable food value chains, and sustainable livestock production. Strengthening animal health standards, participants noted, is vital not only for regulatory compliance but also for protecting public health, empowering farmers, and building resilient food systems.

Kenya’s leadership was further highlighted through WOAH’s Sub-Regional Representation in Nairobi, which supports 13 countries. 

Ongoing initiatives such as the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, laboratory strengthening, and the PCTAD project, including the handover of cold chain equipment and PPR vaccines, demonstrate Kenya’s commitment to building regional resilience against transboundary animal diseases and climate change.

Soubeyran also met with Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), a WOAH Collaborating Centre for One Health. 

Their discussions focused on aligning priorities for 2025–2030, with concrete actions planned in disease surveillance, risk assessment, climate-smart animal health, biosecurity, workforce development, and One Health governance.

Both institutions reaffirmed the central role of One Health in addressing interconnected challenges across animal, human, and environmental health.

“The central role of One Health in addressing the interconnected challenges of animal, human, and environmental health was a key focus of our discussions,” said Soubeyran. “By combining science, policy, and capacity-building, partnerships like this strengthen countries’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats.”

Across all engagements, a common vision emerged: integrating science, policy, and capacity-building to safeguard animal health, protect public health, and strengthen food systems. 

Speaking at the University of Nairobi, she engaged with veterinary students on the profession’s expanding responsibilities in disease surveillance, preparedness, and response to global challenges.

Soubeyran underscored that investing in veterinary education and supporting young professionals is essential to building resilient Veterinary Services.“A skilled and motivated workforce is our first line of defence against current and emerging animal diseases, protecting not only animals but everyone,” she noted.

This focus on workforce development complements Kenya’s broader leadership in animal health, highlighted through WOAH’s Sub-Regional Representation in Nairobi and ongoing collaborations with Farmer’s Choice and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

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