Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to deliver a keynote address at the ongoing inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit which kicked off on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
In a statement on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Uhuru, who is currently in Mombasa, said the summit provides a learning opportunity to share actionable strategies on health emergency preparedness.
“This summit provides a unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders on the critical health security challenges facing East Africa while exploring sustainable solutions to strengthen regional health systems,” Uhuru said.
“The summit’s objectives are to share lessons learned from recent health crises, develop actionable strategies for pandemic preparedness and response, and foster collaboration to strengthen health security infrastructure across the region.”
Resilient health systems
During the opening of the forum on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, President William Ruto, whose speech was read by Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, urged the building of resilient health systems in the region.
“We must build resilient health systems, collaborate across borders, and prioritize local manufacturing to ensure we’re prepared for future health threats,” Ruto stated.
The summit which is taking place at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre in Mombasa, is expected to end on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Uhuru will be speaking at the three-day event in his capacity as the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process.
Uhuru’s peace efforts
In 2022, Ruto appointed Uhuru as his peace envoy for Ethiopia, the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
This was after the former president successfully negotiated peace talks in the region, brokering a peace deal that led to an end of a bloody war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray forces under the auspices of the African Union where he was the chairperson of the AU peace and security council.
Uhuru equally brokered peace in South Sudan and Somalia among other negotiation duties he carries out in the region between DR Congo and Rwanda, where conflict has arisen.
The meeting comes after Ruto, who is the chairperson of the EAC summit, raised alarm on the escalating tensions between DRC and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have taken control of Goma.
“Noting the worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by ongoing military actions, including the closure of airspace in Goma, I call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities,” Ruto said in a statement on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
“Having consulted with the heads of state of the region, on this dire situation, we will be convening an extraordinary EAC Summit within the next 48 hours to deliberate on this crisis and chart a way forward. This is in line with the EAC Summit’s decision of November 2024, which called for constructive engagement to address the conflict. I thank both President Tsishekedi and President Kagame for their confirmed participation in this summit.”
