Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has outlined a series of reforms being implemented by the government as Kenya seeks to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Speaking at the 2026 Kenya Health Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Duale said the government was prioritising health financing, digital health, specialised medical care, access to health products, maternal and newborn health and the development of the healthcare workforce.
The two-day summit, held under the theme “Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right,” brought together national and county governments, healthcare professionals, development partners, private sector representatives and other stakeholders to assess progress in Kenya’s health transformation.
862 specialised medical equipment units deployed
Duale said the government had expanded access to specialised healthcare through the Ksh9.6 billion National Equipment Service Programme (NESP).
Under the programme, 862 specialised medical equipment units have been deployed to 251 health facilities across 44 counties.
According to the CS, the investment is intended to bring specialised services closer to communities and reduce the need for patients to travel or be referred to distant facilities for treatment.
Digital health system expanded
The government has also accelerated the rollout of digital health services, with the Digital Health Agency distributing more than 42,000 devices across the country.
Duale said the devices are supporting Taifa Care, electronic medical records, biometric verification and real-time processing of claims under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The Social Health Authority (SHA) has onboarded 32.3 million Kenyans, with more than 10,000 facilities accredited to provide services,” Duale said.
The expansion of digital systems is expected to improve the management of patient records, verification of beneficiaries and processing of health insurance claims.
KEMSA recapitalised with Ksh10 billion
The government has also invested Ksh10 billion in recapitalising the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Duale said the funding had helped improve the agency’s order fill rate from 35 per cent to 95 per cent, strengthening the availability of essential medicines and other medical commodities.
The improvement is expected to address shortages that have previously affected healthcare facilities and patients across the country.
More nurses and midwives to strengthen maternity care
The government is also expanding the healthcare workforce, particularly in maternal and newborn services.
Duale said the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) programme is being used to accelerate efforts to prevent avoidable maternal and newborn deaths.
The government is also recruiting 5,000 additional nurses and midwives to strengthen frontline maternity and newborn care.
Over the past four years, 24,573 healthcare interns have been deployed across the 47 counties, according to the CS.
He added that 7,414 UHC staff had transitioned to permanent and pensionable terms from July 1, 2026, supported by an allocation of Ksh8.94 billion.
Government pushes specialised and primary healthcare
Duale said the reforms were not limited to specialised treatment but also covered primary and community healthcare.
He said the government was working to strengthen health financing, human resources, health products, digital health, health security, primary care and specialised and referral services.
The Health CS said the summit provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress while identifying gaps that require further action.
“Our shared goal is to build a health system that is accessible, affordable, accountable and responsive to the needs of every Kenyan,” Duale said.
The summit was attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and United Nations Resident Coordinator Garry Conille.
Governors, members of Parliament, senior government officials, development partners, healthcare professionals and private sector representatives also attended the meeting.
