Jean Gitau
Jean Gitau is a Kenyan public health expert and the Head of the Biological Threat Reduction Programme at the Ministry of Health. In this critical national security role, she leads efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to biological threats, ranging from infectious disease outbreaks to potential misuse of biological agents. Her work sits at the intersection of health security, biosafety, and global health diplomacy, ensuring that Kenya is prepared to manage emerging and re-emerging biological risks.
Jean coordinates multi-agency collaborations involving healthcare institutions, research bodies, security agencies, and international partners to strengthen Kenya’s biological surveillance and response systems. Through policy development, training, and risk assessments, she plays a key role in enhancing national resilience against pandemics, zoonotic diseases, and other high-consequence biological events.
With a background in medical science and health systems management, Jean brings both technical rigor and strategic foresight to her leadership. She is also a strong advocate for capacity building and institutional readiness, often championing initiatives that improve laboratory networks, crisis coordination, and cross-border cooperation in East Africa. Her work is vital to ensuring that health remains a pillar of national security and that science and preparedness go hand in hand in protecting public well-being.