Celebrating 20 Years of Impact: AFENET at 20

Celebrating 20 Years of Impact: AFENET at 20

In 2025, the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) commemorates a major milestone—20 years of strengthening public health systems and advancing field epidemiology across Africa. Since its establishment in 2005, AFENET has evolved into a continental leader in applied epidemiology training and epidemic response, supporting national, regional, and global health priorities.

To honor this two-decade journey of growth and impact, AFENET has launched a series of anniversary campaigns and events under the theme:

Anniversary Highlights

1. Launch of the AFENET@20 Campaign

AFENET officially kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of the “AFENET@20” campaign, reflecting on its past achievements while looking toward the future. This initiative reaffirms the network’s commitment to building resilient health systems through field-based training and workforce development.

2. Commemorative Branding and Visual Identity

A dedicated AFENET@20 logo and branding suite has been introduced, symbolizing two decades of innovation, collaboration, and transformation. The visuals will feature prominently across events, publications, and digital platforms throughout 2025.

3. Anniversary Events Calendar

The year-long celebration will culminate in a flagship event in August 2025. The calendar includes:

• Regional scientific forums
• Alumni and partner spotlights
• National public health storytelling events
• Policy and advocacy roundtables across member countries

4. Digital Storytelling and Engagement

Through multimedia campaigns on social media and web platforms, AFENET will showcase:

• Success stories from Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs)
• Personal testimonials from alumni and partners
• Milestone achievements in outbreak response and health systems strengthening

5. Field Epidemiology Legacy Series

A signature series of video documentaries and podcasts will highlight the stories of frontline epidemiologists, unsung public health heroes, and the evolution of field epidemiology in Africa. These productions will document AFENET’s contributions to major public health responses and its role in shaping Africa’s health workforce.

Our Story: The Genesis and Growth of AFENET

The devastating burden of epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa and the chronic shortage of skilled public health professionals prompted the creation of AFENET. Between 2004 and 2005, public health leaders from Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, along with partners from WHO, CDC, and USAID, convened to design a unified approach to applied epidemiology training.

Their vision led to the establishment of AFENET—a collaborative network of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) and Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs)—to expand and support locally led, field-based training initiatives.

The network continues to serve as a trusted implementing partner for global health initiatives and regional surveillance systems.

As we celebrate 20 years, AFENET is not only reflecting on the past but also reimagining the future.

Join us in celebrating 20 years of public health excellence—and in shaping the next 20.

Kenya hosts the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), both institutions of the EAC mandated with coordinating sustainable development in the Lake Victoria Basin and its environs.

Kenya lies astride the equator, extending from the Indian Ocean in the east to Uganda in the west and from the United Republic of Tanzania in the south to Ethiopia and Sudan in the north. On the east and north-east, it borders Somalia.

Languages

Kiswahili and English are official languages. Each of the ethnic groups has its own language.

Communications

Country code 254 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.ke’. 

Public Holidays

New Year’s Day, Labour Day (1 May), Madaraka Day (1 June), Mashujaa Day (20 October), Jamhuri Day (Independence Day, 12 December), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, three days).

Transport

61,950 km of roads, 14% paved, and around 1,920 km of railway. The main railway line runs between Mombasa and Nairobi, and branch lines connect with Taveta on the Tanzanian border in the south and Kisumu on Lake Victoria in the west.

Mombasa is the chief port for Kenya and an important regional port, handling freight for and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including a substantial volume of food aid. Ferries ply the coast between Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is 13 km south-east of Nairobi. Moi International is 13 km west of Mombasa.

International relations

Kenya is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Non-Aligned Movement, United Nations and World Trade Organization. Kenya is also a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which was established in 1986 by the 6 countries in the Horn of Africa to combat drought and desertification and promote food security in the region.

Topography

There are 4 main regions. The north-east plain is arid. The south-east region is fertile along the Tana river, in the coastal strip and in the Taita Hills, which rise to 2,100 metres. The north-west is generally low-lying and arid but includes Lake Turkana, 260 km long, and many mountains, including Nyiru (2,800 metres). The south-west quarter, a plateau rising to 3,000 metres, includes some of Africa’s highest mountains: Mount Kenya (5,200 metres), Mount Elgon (4,320 metres) and the Aberdare Range (4,000 metres). The Great Rift Valley runs across the plateau from north to south, 50-65 km wide and 600-1,000 metres deep. West of the Rift the plateau falls to Lake Victoria and eastward the rivers Tana and Athi (or Galana downstream) flow into the Indian Ocean.

Climate

The coastal areas are tropical, with monsoon winds. The lowlands are hot and mainly dry. The highlands are much cooler and have 4 seasons.

Environment

The most significant issues are water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilisers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; and poaching.

Vegetation

Thornbush and grassland are characteristic of much of the country. Varied forest covers about 13,000 sq km of the south-west quarter, at 2-3,500 metres above sea level. Forest covers 6% of the land area, having declined at 0.3% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises ten per cent and permanent cropland one per cent of the total land area.

Wildlife

Kenya’s wildlife is probably the most famous in the world. Wild mammals include lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotami, baboons and many kinds of monkeys. There is a rich variety of native birdlife and migrant birds visit the country, which breed in Europe. Wildlife is protected in reserves extending to 45,500 sq. km, or some 8% of the total land area.

Points to note

• Visa processing fee is non
  refundable.
• Incomplete applications
  will be rejected.
• The possession of an eVisa
  is not the final Authority to enter The Republic of Kenya.
• Engaging in any form of
  business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
• A visa is required prior
  to entry into The Republic of Kenya.
• The e-Visa printout must
  be presented at the port of entry.
• It should take at least 2
  working days to get your eVisa.
• Each adult visitor to the
  Republic of Kenya is required to submit eVisa applications in their
  personal eVisa account. Parents can apply for their children in the
  parents account.

Requirements for Entry

• Passport
• Visa
• World Health Organization
  (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination.

Visas

Obtain your visa before traveling. Visit the Embassy of the Republic of the Kenya website for the most current visa information. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Kenya Embassy or Consulate.

Visa applicants must provide an invitation letter. Allow at least two to three weeks for visa processing.

Countries That Don’t Need Visa To Visit Kenya

If you’re a passport holder or national of the countries in the list below, you don’t need to apply for visa before you can enter Kenya.
This means you can stay in Kenya for a period of 3 months (unless stated otherwise on the list); your passport will be stamped at the point of entry, as
long as the purpose of your visit meets the immigration rules.

• Botswana
• Burundi
• Ghana
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa*
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• The Gambia
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

• Fiji Island
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

• Barbados
• Belize
• Brunei Darussalam
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Jamaica
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and The Grenadines
• The Bahamas
• Trinidad and Tobago

• Cyprus
• Maldives
• Singapore
• Malaysia

If you’re a passport holder or national of the countries on the list below, you can apply for e-Visa online. You can apply and make payment online, then print your eVisa to show the immigration officer at the point of entry. You can also obtain visa-on-arrival at the point of entry.

• Algeria
• Angola
• Benin
• Cape Verde
• Central African Rep
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo
• Czech Republic
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Mauritania
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Reunion
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Togo
• Tunisia

• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• China
• East Timor
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kampuchea
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Korea South
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Macau
• Mongolia
• Malaysia*
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

• Australia
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• New Zealand
• Pacific Isles
• Palau

• Antigua and Bermuda
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Greenland

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• United states
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

• Albania
• Andorra
• Austria
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bosnia Herzegovina
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Malta
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russian Federation
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Nationals of countries that are not listed above can apply for visa via the Kenyan High Commission or Embassy in your country. If you plan to settle down in Kenya for marital reasons, to study or work, there are many different visas that you can apply for. You will also need to apply directly to the Kenyan High Commission or Embassy in your country. If you’re not sure whether you need a visa, you should visit the Kenyan High Commission office or Embassy in your country. If it does turn out that you don’t need a visa to visit Kenya, all you need to do is to purchase your ticket and start planning your holiday. However, if it turns out that you need an e-Visa; you can go online and apply for it. The online visa application is easy and straightforward. Alternatively, you can obtain your visa on arrival at the point of entry in the country.

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