Infectious Disease Expert Tapped as Kenya’s New Health Cabinet Secretary

President William Ruto has nominated Deborah Mlongo Barasa as the new Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health.

Barasa, an acclaimed infectious disease expert, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.

Barasa boasts over 18 years of experience in the healthcare industry and various health programs.

She is an Internal Medicine physician and Infectious Disease Expert at the World Health Organization (WHO).

In her previous roles, Barasa has established sustainable programs in Eastern and Southern Africa, supported member states in developing and implementing national action plans, and provided technical guidance on global policies and guidelines.

Barasa’s core competencies include expertise in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and the prevention and control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

She has a strong track record of working on clinical cases as well as public health programs.

Passionate about improving the quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by various diseases, Barasa is known for empowering health workers and stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent and control diseases.

Her experience also encompasses the development of technical products, such as guidelines, assessment tools, training modules, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as conducting monitoring, evaluation, and partner engagement at regional, national, facility, and community levels.

If approved by the vetting panel in Parliament, Barasa will replace the former Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, and play a crucial role in shaping Kenya’s healthcare landscape during this critical time.