Dr Simon Mucara Kigondu President Kenya Medical Association during the event../PHOTO ; Courtesy
Frequent disease outbreaks, environmental degradation, and rising antimicrobial resistance have revealed a crucial truth: health challenges can no longer be solved in isolation.
The One Health approach was formed to bridge the gap between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting collective action to safeguard the well-being of all species.
In Kenya, the One Health platform was formally established in 2012 through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, with support from partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
Now, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) have joined forces to revive and strengthen the One Health movement in Kenya through renewed collaboration, advocacy, and joint programming.
Their efforts aim to enhance awareness, drive cross-sectoral partnerships, and ensure a more coordinated national response to shared health threats.
Speaking during a One Health Breakfast Meeting held at Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, the Chairperson of Kenya One Health, Dr. Victor Yamo, said the initiative promotes joint action on critical issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic diseases, food safety, climate change, and governance.
“Seventy percent of emerging and re-emerging diseases originate from animals,” said Dr. Yamo, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Global One Health Advocacy Alliance.
“If we do not address animal health, we cannot effectively solve human health problems.”
Dr. Yamo explained that the One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health, underscoring that human health outcomes are often influenced by what happens in animals and the environment.
He cited rabies as an example, noting that vaccinating dogs is ten times cheaper and far more effective than treating a human after infection.
“Once a person begins showing symptoms of rabies, there is no cure, and death is inevitable,” he said. “That’s why collaboration between veterinarians and medical professionals is so critical.”
Dr. Yamo added that the Kenya One Health Conference 2025, scheduled for November 3rd to 8th, will feature a week-long series of activities, including media engagements, student forums, webinars, and a two-day symposium showcasing community-level One Health initiatives.
“Our goal is to extend these engagements beyond a single day and, ultimately, make One Health a regional initiative across East Africa,” he said.
Medical Professionals Join the Call for Collaboration
The President of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), Dr. Simon Mucara Kigondu, echoed the call for collaboration, emphasizing that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is inseparable.
“Diseases such as COVID-19, Rift Valley Fever, Anthrax, Rabies, and Avian Influenza have reminded us that human health cannot be safeguarded in isolation,” said Dr. Kigondu.
“These are not solely veterinary, medical, or environmental problems; they are shared challenges requiring shared solutions.”
He noted that both KMA and KVA are championing the One Health approach to raise awareness, strengthen preparedness for zoonotic diseases, and promote cross-sectoral collaboration to improve public health outcomes.
Dr. Kigondu also commended the strong global momentum behind One Health, referencing the partnership between the World Medical Association (WMA) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA).
“This partnership reflects the global understanding that human health challenges cannot be solved without addressing animal and environmental health,” he said.
Media and Partners Urged to Support One Health
Dr. Kigondu called on journalists to use their platforms to inform and educate the public about the importance of the One Health approach.
“When the media tells the story of One Health, how livestock health protects human livelihoods or how early detection of animal infections saves human lives, the public listens,” he said.
He also appealed to partners in government, academia, the private sector, and development organizations to support the upcoming conference through sponsorship and technical collaboration.
“By sponsoring this event, you are not merely funding a meeting; you are investing in prevention, resilience, and the collective well-being of Kenyans,” Dr. Kigondu noted.
As Kenya prepares to mark Global One Health Day on November 3rd, both KMA and KVA reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the approach beyond conversation toward collaboration, action, and measurable impact.
“Let us move from awareness to action and from parallel efforts to a unified front for the health of all,” Dr. Kigondu concluded. “Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more resilient Kenya.”
