Kenya’s health system is in the thick of one of the biggest health reforms to date, with the health ministry assuring Kenyans that they are rebuilding their health system to ensure that every Kenyan gets quality healthcare regardless of their economic status or location.
This was said by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale when he presented the 2026 Budget Policy Statement for the State Department for Medical Services to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, led by Seme MP Dr. James Nyikal.
Duale said that the health ministry has seen three big health laws passed under the current administration that have rewritten the rules for healthcare delivery to Kenyans. These are the Social Health Insurance Act, Primary Healthcare Act, and Digital Health Act.
According to Duale, the three laws are aimed at ensuring that every Kenyan gets healthcare regardless of their economic or social status.
At the heart of this reform are the Social Health Authority (SHA), which now oversees three main health funds: the Primary Health Care Fund, the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, and the Social Health Insurance Fund.
Duale said that the three funds are protecting the vulnerable and are providing a degree of order and certainty to healthcare.
“The relationship between the state and citizens in health matters is changing,” he said to the committee, noting that they are working to make healthcare a right and not just a right on paper.
The 2026 budget plan has identified six key areas where investment should be made as a way of advancing Universal Health Coverage.
Duale noted that national referral hospitals are already achieving impressive milestones such as complex surgeries, organ transplants, cancer treatment sessions, PET scans, radiosurgeries, and mental health care. The government wants to reduce the number of Kenyans seeking health care in other countries.
There are also investments in the Kenya BioVax Institute and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), which shows that the government wants Kenya to become a regional powerhouse in vaccine and diagnostic kit production.
Regarding digital health care, there are plans to roll out telemedicine, enhance the National Health Data Centre, and enhance data protection for patients. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) reforms are geared towards ensuring that hospitals across the country receive a steady and reliable supply of medicine.
Duale encouraged MPs to support increased funding for the health sector, improve local resource mobilisation and protect health budgets from cuts. He also called for harmonisation of laws and resolution of pending liabilities in the sector.
He said Kenya has a rare opportunity to build a strong, self-sustaining health system that can stand on its own.
Duale was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, and other senior ministry officials during the presentation.
