Deborah Mlongo Barasa

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya

Deborah Mlongo Barasa is a Kenyan physician and infectious-diseases specialist, with extensive experience in health, development and climate policy. She has held senior roles with the World Health Organization and was appointed Cabinet Secretary in 2024. Her educational background includes a medical degree from the University of Nairobi and postgraduate studies at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. In her role as Cabinet Secretary, she oversees Kenya’s climate change strategy, forest conservation, and environmental governance. Kenya is a leader in Africa in integrating climate adaptation into national development, and she brings valuable insight on linking early warnings with health, resilience, and cross-border cooperation in the East African region.