Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa – Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa currently serves as Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, having been reassigned to the role by H.E. the President, Dr. William Ruto, on March 26, 2025. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Barasa served as the Cabinet Secretary for Health, a position she held since August 2024.
A seasoned Physician and Infectious Diseases expert, Dr. Barasa brings over 17 years of professional experience in clinical practice, public health policy, and international health development. Her transition to the Environment docket reflects her versatile leadership and deep understanding of the interlinkages between health, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
Before joining the Cabinet, Dr. Barasa served for four years at the World Health Organization (WHO) as an Infectious Disease expert and consultant. In that capacity, she led the development of policies, guidelines, SOPs, training programs, and quality improvement initiatives. She was instrumental in the formulation and execution of emergency disease outbreak response plans across East, Central, and Southern Africa.
In her earlier career, Dr. Barasa practiced medicine in Kenya across both public and private health sectors. She holds a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine (2017) and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (2007), both from the University of Nairobi, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases (2023) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Barasa’s expertise in health systems strengthening, policy formulation, and stakeholder engagement now enriches her role in leading Kenya’s environmental and climate change agenda. Her focus is on promoting sustainable natural resource management, advancing Kenya’s commitments under international climate accords, and fostering green growth for the benefit of present and future generations.