By Dorothy Musyoka
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has presented the current state of Kenya’s healthcare system and outlined the legislative and policy pathway toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) during a Legislative Retreat in Naivasha to shed light on the state of health services in the country.
The session, presided over by Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. Moses Wetangula, provided a platform for the Cabinet Secretary to brief Members on the five pillars anchoring Kenya’s UHC agenda and the transformative reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Health to deliver accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
Hon. Duale highlighted significant progress under the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that more than 29 million Kenyans have registered under the scheme, with KES 93.4 billion disbursed since its rollout.
To further expand access to quality Primary Health Care fully financed by the Government the Ministry is rolling out the Green Label Service Charter across both public and private health facilities in all 47 counties.
On health sector digitisation, the Cabinet Secretary reported that 10,277 health facilities have been integrated into national digital health systems, supported by the distribution of 30,087 digital devices countrywide.
He noted that this integration has enabled real-time data reporting from even the most remote facilities, strengthening transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making across the sector.
Addressing human resources for health, Hon. Duale confirmed that 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) continue to anchor frontline service delivery nationwide.
He further noted that UHC staff have been remunerated under Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) rates since September 2025, marking a key milestone in stabilising the health workforce.
On supply chain reforms, the Cabinet Secretary outlined ongoing interventions at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), reporting that the national fill rate has improved to 91 per cent.
He also highlighted investments under the National Equipment Support Project (NESP), with KES 6.18 billion in contracts signed to equip county hospitals with modern diagnostic and treatment equipment, expanding access to specialised services.
Maternal and newborn health remains a top priority through the Every Woman, Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) agenda and the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).
Kenya is also strengthening its leadership in Global Health Security through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) by expanding laboratory networks and Emergency Operations Centres to improve early detection and response to public health threats.
Hon. Duale urged Parliament to treat health as a whole-of-government priority, calling for coordinated engagement across the Ministries of Interior, ICT, and National Treasury, alongside strengthened inter-governmental collaboration.
He further announced that the Ministry is fast-tracking the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, and undertaking a comprehensive review and harmonisation of existing health legislation to ensure constitutional compliance and coherent sector implementation.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Social Health Authority CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, and other senior Ministry officials.