Kenya’s health sector is at a critical juncture where efficiency, accountability, and strategic planning are essential to sustaining progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The ongoing budget planning process for the Financial Year 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) underscores the need to optimise available resources, align priorities, and ensure that every shilling invested delivers tangible outcomes for citizens.
Recent years have seen significant milestones in the health sector. These include the successful rollout of HIV, immunisation, blood transfusion, and family planning programmes; delivery of specialised services such as kidney transplants, heart surgeries, and minimally invasive procedures; expanded medical research; investment in new infrastructure; and the establishment of an integrated digital health information system. These achievements demonstrate that when discipline and alignment guide sectoral priorities, the country can achieve measurable results despite financial constraints.
However, the sector is grappling with a shrinking fiscal space and global economic pressures. Allocations to health have declined by 9.5 per cent, from KSh 113.5 billion in 2022/23 to KSh 102.7 billion in 2024/25. At the same time, health requirements have more than doubled to KSh 371.8 billion. Allocations against requests have dropped sharply, from 60 per cent to 28 per cent, resulting in shortages of medicines, delayed salaries, limited food supplies in facilities, and an increase in pending bills.
To navigate these challenges, the health sector must embrace efficiency and accountability as guiding principles. Realistic, costed, and well-justified proposals will be central to ensuring that resources are deployed strategically and equitably. This requires stronger collaboration among institutions, rationalisation of priorities, and a commitment to making the budget a true reflection of the nation’s dedication to improved health outcomes.
Health financing is not merely an exercise in numbers but a demonstration of values and commitment. The drive toward UHC will demand not only increased resources but also a sharper focus on effective allocation, transparency, and accountability. By optimising policies, strengthening institutional performance, and fostering partnerships, Kenya’s health sector can continue to deliver services that transform lives even in the face of constrained resources.
