On April 1, 2025 Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa officially handed over the Ministry of Health to Hon. Aden Duale after serving for eight months and assumed office as the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.Since then, the CS has spearheaded key environmental initiatives in Kenya.
Barasa has been meeting leaders at NEMA and National Environment Trust Fund ( NETFUND )headquarters in Nairobi to discuss the ongoing programs focused on environmental conservation, climate resilience, and fostering public-private partnerships in Kenya.
Under her leadership, the government has intensified efforts to achieve the 15 billion Trees Initiative by 2032, with over 1.06 billion trees planted in the last two years, an increase compared to 38 million trees planted over five years by the previous administration.
Dr. Deborah Barasa is also championing the Integrated Natural Resource Program, through which the government has allocated Ksh33.8 billion to support forest conservation in ten counties, including Trans Nzoia. She has distributed more than 100,000 fruit tree seedlings to 672 schools to encourage community participation in tree planting.
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Through public engagement campaigns, such as Mazingira Day celebrations, Dr. Barasa has rallied residents to embrace climate change mitigation measures and support government programs. Her efforts are aimed at creating a sustainable and healthy environment while also generating economic benefits for local communities.
During her tenure, the ministry has intensified efforts to improve waste management, promoting recycling and the adoption of colour-coded waste separation systems while stepping up enforcement against pollution through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
On climate action, Dr. Deborah Barasa advanced science-based adaptation measures, with a focus on strengthening drought preparedness under the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and enhancing flood mitigation in high-risk areas.
At the policy level, the government initiated a review of the Climate Change Act to align it with emerging global and national priorities.
Regulations to operationalize carbon markets have also been developed, positioning Kenya to tap into climate finance while aligning its strategies with international frameworks, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Internationally, Dr. Deborah Barasa represents Kenya at key global forums such as the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), where she advocates for increased climate financing and technology transfer for developing countries.
On December 12, 2025 Dr Deborah Barasa was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya by H.E. the President William Samoei Ruto, in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service rendered to the nation across various capacities.
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Education Background
She graduated from the University of Nairobi (UoN) in 2006 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
Deborah later returned to the same institution to pursue a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine, which she completed between September 2012 and December 2017.
She is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Career Background
From June 2020 to October 2024, she worked with the World Health Organization as an Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Specialist for the Eastern and Southern African Region. She has experience working as a physician and infectious-diseases specialist with extensive experience in health, development, and climate policy.
Her responsibilities included leading regional disease prevention efforts, supporting public health programs, and managing multi-country teams through a hybrid work arrangement.
Between January 2008 and 2020, she served as a Medical Consultant Physician at Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya. During her twelve-year tenure, she provided clinical care, supervised medical teams, and supported hospital-based medical programs.
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From November 2008 to July 2019, she also held the role of Senior Technical Advisor for HIV/TB, communicable, and non-communicable diseases at the Eastern Deanery AIDS Relief Program. In this position, she offered technical leadership, guided program implementation, and led teams focused on improving health outcomes within Nairobi County.
Her medical career began at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she trained and worked as a Senior House Officer and later Senior Registrar from September 2012 to September 2017 in Nairobi.
She is currently serving as a Cabinet Secretary in the Government of Kenya, a position she has held since August 2024. In this role, she provides national leadership and oversees key government programs and policy initiatives while working on-site in Kenya.
