Kenya’s State Department for Public Health has clinched the 2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Award, earning global recognition for its contribution to advancing public health and sustainable development.
The prestigious award honours institutions and initiatives making meaningful progress toward the SDGs a global blueprint adopted in 2015 to tackle challenges such as poverty, disease, inequality, climate change and weak institutions by 2030.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the accolade reflects years of deliberate investment in strengthening health systems, enforcing professional standards and expanding access to quality public health services nationwide. She noted that the achievement was driven by collective efforts across the health sector, particularly in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“This award is a testament to our unwavering focus on building resilient health systems and delivering better health outcomes for all Kenyans,” Muthoni said in a statement issued on Sunday, December 14.
She dedicated the recognition to frontline health workers, development partners and communities, crediting their role in shaping a healthier and more sustainable future.
The honour comes amid a wave of international and national recognition for Kenyan public institutions. Just a week earlier, the Ministry of Defence was named the country’s top-performing public institution after scooping four awards at the 2025 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards, highlighting excellence in financial management, accountability and public sector leadership.
