Kenya’s Ministry of Health has opened the AMR2026 conference, a national forum bringing together experts, policymakers, funders and community leaders to confront the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in East Africa.
The conference aims to translate scientific evidence and stakeholder dialogue into concrete policy action, with the Ministry indicating that outcomes from the meeting will be taken forward into national policy frameworks.
The two day conference seeks to develop shared priorities and policy recommendations to address AMR, while also securing commitments from development partners and funders to support implementation of agreed actions.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the ability of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites to resist treatment.It has emerged as a major public health crisis in Kenya and the wider East African region. Health experts warn that unchecked resistance threatens to reverse decades of medical progress, making common infections harder and more expensive to treat.
Speaking at the opening, Dr. Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim said AMR poses a serious and interconnected threat to human, animal and environmental health, underscoring the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response.
“This is not just a health issue,” he said. “It affects food systems, the environment, and livelihoods, and requires collaboration across sectors and communities.”
Beyond policy recommendations, the conference aims to strengthen professional and institutional networks to support ongoing collaboration on AMR surveillance, stewardship and research.
He said that the meeting is expected to become a national checkpoint for tracking progress through an annual AMR scorecard.
The conference will also produce published proceedings to guide next steps and ensure accountability among stakeholders, according to organizers.
Kenya has made progress in developing national AMR strategies, but experts say gaps remain in implementation, financing and coordination, particularly at county and community levels.
The AMR2026 conference is intended to help close those gaps by grounding solutions in local realities.
The two day conference continues with technical sessions, policy dialogues and partner engagements focused on strengthening Kenya’s response to antimicrobial resistance while aligning with regional and global efforts.
