Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has received global recognition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for his pivotal role in championing the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement represents a global commitment by WHO member states to work together to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics.
The former Head of State was specifically recognised for his guidance and commitment throughout the negotiation process of the agreement during the 78th World Health Assembly in May this year.
Uhuru received the award during a special event held at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 10, 2025, attended by other high-profile dignitaries.
The certificate of recognition was signed by the WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya. In recognition of your key role in championing and advocating for the WHO Pandemic Agreement that was adopted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly on May 20, 2025," read the certificate.
He was awarded alongside leaders from 25 other countries across the world. Countries whose current or former presidents or prime ministers were also recognised include Albania, Costa Rica, Croatia and Fiji.
Others include France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
“The adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Pandemic Agreement was a historic moment in global health. But we would not have reached that moment without sustained political advocacy from the highest levels," said Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
According to Ghebreyesus, the Pandemic Agreement represents a global commitment to a more robust international health architecture that is grounded in equity, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
The latest recognition adds to the former Head of State's list of awards. In 2023, Uhuru was awarded for his contribution to the peaceful settlement of conflict in Northern Ethiopia.
Likewise, in 2022, he was honoured for his outstanding role in promoting peace, security and stability in Burundi and the Great Lakes region as a whole.
