Nairobi: Kenya played host to the inaugural African Regional Conference on the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), bringing together 49 African countries in Nairobi from November 26th to 28th, 2025.
According to Kenya News Agency, Prime Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, in his speech, observed that advances in life sciences, biotechnology, and frontier research and technology, such as artificial intelligence, are transforming economies, healthcare, agriculture, security, and social well-being. He noted that these advances also create complex risks if misused, whether intentionally or inadvertently.
In the speech read on his behalf by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, the Principal Secretary State Department for Science, Research and Innovation highlighted that the convention is not only about preventing misuse of biology but also about enabling all nations to safely harness the power of science for peaceful, equitable, and sustainable development. The Biological Weapons Convention remains the cornerstone of global and regional efforts to prevent the development, production, and use of biological weapons and to promote the peaceful application of biology for sustainable development.
The event saw participation from prominent figures, including the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Under-Secretary-General and High Representative H.E Izumi Nakamitsu, The High Commissioner for Canada to Kenya H.E Joshua Tabah, Charge d’Affaires Embassy of the United States of America to Kenya Ms. Susan Burns, and H.E. Frederico Meyer, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil among other distinguished guests.
Kenya’s key strategies and measures in implementing the Biological Weapons Convention include the designation of a National Focal Point, the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), to coordinate national implementation of the Convention, as well as the annual submission of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) within the East African Community. Kenya is a leader in CBM submissions and has shared best practices, particularly in preparing and submitting these measures.
PCS Musalia emphasized Kenya’s adoption of a whole-of-government and multi-agency approach by involving various ministries, agencies, research institutions, and other relevant bodies in responding to biological incidents. This includes developing national implementation frameworks such as the Biosecurity Bill and Policy, the Strategic Goods Control Bill, and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Preparedness, Prevention, and Response Action Plan. While awaiting the enactment of the Strategic Goods Control Bill into law, the Ministry of Health has established a multi-agency committee responsible for the technical review and advisory oversight of biological samples designated for export.
Kenya has been proactive in the universalization of the Convention, convening several workshops and regional conferences on biological weapons, disarmament, and biosecurity. These engagements have focused on countering the threat of biological weapons by terrorist groups and enhancing national laboratory systems, particularly in the safe storage and containment of highly infectious biological agents.
Furthermore, Kenya is taking significant steps to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity. The Ministry of Health has developed Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Policy Guidelines as well as a Laboratory Biorisk Management Curriculum. Additionally, the Ministry of Education, through Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), launched a Bachelor’s degree in Biosafety and Biosecurity in 2024 to bridge the gap in Global Health Security.