The Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) recently concluded its National Security Awareness in Public Health Practice course, with a closing ceremony presided over by Lieutenant General Jimson Mutai, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K).

This five-day course, run by NDU-K, aimed to highlight the vital role participants play in ensuring Kenya's safety, security, health, and economic prosperity amidst growing threats from both state and non-state actors. 

Lt. General Mutai congratulated the participants, urging them to apply their newly acquired skills to tackle public health and national security challenges that undermine societal progress. He emphasized the importance of integrating new skills for managing and coordinating efforts in prevention, early detection, and rapid response to public health emergencies, which are becoming more diverse and complex due to transnational health and security threats.

Dr. David Ndegwa, Chairperson of the KNPHI Board, commended the program and called for further collaboration between KNPHI and security institutions like the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). He stressed that as Kenya faces rising threats from pandemics, bioterrorism, and health emergencies, sustained cooperation is essential for preventing, preparing for, and responding to such hazards.

Dr. Kamene Kimenye, Executive Director of KNPHI, praised the participants' dedication, noting the exceptional synergy demonstrated throughout the course. 

The National Security Awareness program, developed by NDU-K, fosters a shared understanding among various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Counties (MDACs) to fulfill their constitutional duties with a focus on security awareness.