Stakeholders gather during the SERA.ai workshop in Kenya where the innovative tool was unveiled to accelerate health policy development in Kenya.
By Peace Muthoka.
Kenya’s health sector is set for a major shift with the launch of SERA.ai, a new artificial intelligence tool designed to speed up and strengthen health policy development.
The system, developed by Visortech Solutions in partnership with Yemaya Health Advisory, was unveiled during a landmark workshop that brought together Ministry of Health officials, policymakers, researchers, and health stakeholders. Keynote speaker Dr. Nduku Kilonzo described SERA.ai as a breakthrough that could reduce policy formulation timelines from years to just a few months.
For decades, Kenya’s health policies have been slowed down by lengthy consultations, heavy data analysis, and complex approval processes. These delays have often left the country reacting late to urgent challenges such as pandemics or antimicrobial resistance.
SERA.ai – whose name comes from the Kiswahili word for “policy” – is built to change this. It uses advanced technology to scan and analyze large amounts of data from local and global sources, extract critical insights, and generate practical policy recommendations tailored to Kenya’s needs. The tool also encourages wider stakeholder input and ensures transparency by automatically citing evidence sources.
The first version of the system, which has already received ethical approval from Strathmore University, comes with features such as document uploads for instant analysis, multi-agent data processing, feedback channels, and intelligent prompts to guide users in refining queries.
During the workshop, participants saw how the tool could be applied to urgent health priorities, from drafting antimicrobial resistance policies and updating TB management guidelines to supporting pandemic preparedness and maternal health reforms.
Dr. Kilonzo stressed that SERA.ai is not a replacement for human expertise but a support system to enhance decision-making. She also underlined its ethical design, which incorporates strict data security, role-based access controls, and respect for Kenya’s cultural and social context.
The workshop’s goal was to showcase the tool’s potential, gather input from stakeholders, and chart a roadmap for its integration into ongoing and future health policy work. Expected benefits include faster policy cycles, better use of evidence, stronger collaboration, and more coherent health policies across sectors.
“This innovation gives us the chance to be proactive rather than reactive,” Dr. Kilonzo said. “It allows Kenya’s health policies to keep pace with emerging threats and evolving solutions.”
