Why it matters
Antimicrobial stewardship helps preserve effective treatment by supporting appropriate medicine selection and use. It needs to protect access to necessary treatment while reducing avoidable or inappropriate use. Stewardship brings professional judgement together with evidence, local treatment guidance and review of practice.
Kenya’s approach
Kenya’s National Action Plan addresses antimicrobial use across human health and relevant animal and production sectors. Within healthcare, stewardship programmes need leadership, accountable teams, clinical and pharmacy expertise, access to diagnostic information, and feedback on how antimicrobials are used. WHO’s practical toolkit describes the structures and resources that support programmes at national and facility levels.
Medicine quality is part of this wider response. In July 2026, the Ministry of Health described national coordination against substandard and falsified medical products and linked these products to treatment failure and AMR. Stewardship and regulation have complementary roles in protecting effective medicines.
Who is involved
Prescribers, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory professionals, facility leadership and regulators contribute to stewardship in human healthcare. Veterinary professionals and other relevant sectors address use in their own settings. Patients should receive clear advice from the professionals responsible for their treatment.
Useful guidance
Professional teams can use the WHO toolkit to review their programme’s foundations and identify practical improvements. Consult current Kenyan and institution-approved clinical guidance for treatment decisions. Public information on this website supports awareness and does not replace an individual clinical or veterinary assessment.