- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been honoured by the WHO for backing a new global pandemic treaty.
- He was recognised during a special event at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on July 10, 2025.
- The treaty aims to improve how the world handles future pandemics.
- Kenya was among 25 countries praised for early support.
- Uhuru joins a group of world leaders applauded for pushing the initiative forward.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has received international recognition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for his strong voice in pushing for the Pandemic Agreement, a global deal aimed at helping countries work together to prevent and respond to future health emergencies.
The recognition was made during a high-level event on July 10, 2025, at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Uhuru’s leadership and political will, calling it key in shaping the agreement.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Tedros noted that the agreement’s approval by the World Health Assembly marked a turning point in global health but said such success would not have happened without support from top-level leaders like Uhuru.
“This agreement was a historic step. But it took sustained commitment from heads of state to get here,” Dr. Tedros said.
Uhuru was honoured alongside other influential figures, including Chile’s former President Sebastián Piñera and Tunisia’s President Kais Saied, both of whom received commemorative awards for their early involvement.
Kenya stood out among 25 countries that were acknowledged for supporting the pandemic treaty during its early stages. Other nations recognised included France, Germany, the UK, Indonesia, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Korea, reflecting a strong global backing across continents.
The treaty traces its roots back to 2021, when world leaders first called for a fresh global health plan to avoid a repeat of the COVID-19 disaster. Its goal is to build a better international health system based on fairness, accountability, and joint responsibility.
Even after leaving office, Uhuru has remained active on the international stage, especially in areas linked to peace, health, and development. This latest honour shows that Kenya’s voice continues to be heard in global conversations.
Under the agreement, a special team is already working on key areas such as fair access to medical resources and research materials, a move aimed at ensuring no country is left behind in the fight against future outbreaks.
Uhuru’s recognition reflects Kenya’s growing role in global health diplomacy and the former president’s lasting influence beyond his presidency.
