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Kenya has received international recognition at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva after being officially certified as having eliminated Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally awarded Kenya the certification, praising the country’s sustained public health interventions, strong leadership, and coordinated multi-sectoral efforts in tackling the neglected tropical disease.
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WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus applauded Kenya’s Ministry of Health, describing the achievement as a major milestone in global public health.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale welcomed the recognition, terming it a significant honour for both the government and citizens. He said it reflects decades of consistent commitment, resilience, and teamwork involving national and county governments, health workers, researchers, and development partners.
For over 100 years, sleeping sickness posed a serious health threat in parts of western Kenya, including Busia, Bungoma, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Narok counties.
However, strengthened surveillance and control efforts have ensured that Kenya has not reported any indigenous cases since 2009. After WHO validation in June 2025 and a national declaration in August 2025, the country has now officially sustained its elimination status.
CS Duale attributed the success to affected communities whose cooperation supported surveillance and prevention, as well as to frontline health workers, laboratory experts, county governments, and national technical teams who enhanced diagnosis and response systems.
While celebrating the milestone, he warned that elimination does not mean the disease is gone completely, stressing the importance of continued vigilance through monitoring, early detection, vector control, and integration of sleeping sickness services into routine healthcare systems.
He also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to sharing expertise and supporting regional efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases across Africa, highlighting the country’s growing role in advancing global health outcomes.
