Naivasha, Kenya — 7th–8th October 2025
Key government officials, civil society representatives, technical experts, and development partners convened in Naivasha for a two day residential National Policymakers’ Workshop on Accelerating the Introduction and Scale-Up of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) Innovations. The workshop, held from 7th to 8th October 2025, provided a high-level platform for stakeholders to deliberate on policy, financial, and operational barriers hindering the rollout of new DR-TB technologies, and to chart strategies for their timely and equitable adoption across Kenya.
Facilitated by the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN), with support from Unitaid, and in collaboration with national partners, the workshop aimed to build a shared understanding of Kenya’s current DR-TB response, assess progress against WHO recommendations, and identify opportunities for accelerating access to innovations such as shorter all-oral treatment regimens, rapid molecular diagnostics, and digital adherence tools.
Participants noted that despite major scientific breakthroughs, many of these life-saving innovations have not yet reached patients equitably due to policy delays, weak supply chains, and limited domestic financing. The workshop therefore emphasized the need for stronger leadership, accountability, and multi-sectoral action to overcome these barriers.
The discussions further underscored that ending TB requires collective ownership and action beyond the health sector, addressing the social and structural determinants that drive the disease.
Through technical presentations, policy dialogues, and group work sessions, participants analysed Kenya’s DR-TB response and developed a collective advocacy and action agenda. The workshop concluded with commitments from key ministries and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, mobilize resources, and fast track the scale-up of DR-TB innovations in line with national and global TB targets.
The event marked an important step toward achieving Kenya’s goal of ending tuberculosis as a public health threat by 2030, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a rights-based, patient centered, and innovation driven TB response.
For more information, please contact:
Ibrahim Kimani
Project officer – HIV/TB wainainakimani@kelinkenya.org
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langáta Road
