Health experts are raising the alarm over the vulnerability of Kenya’s healthcare system due to heavy dependence on donor funding. With external support accounting for over 40 percent of the country’s health financing, recent reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) have exposed critical gaps in funding, threatening essential services such as HIV, tuberculosis, and family planning programs.
During a recent health sector forum, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for the government to allocate domestic resources to health programs traditionally supported by foreign aid. They stressed that health initiatives, particularly those focused on disease prevention and reproductive health, are foundational to the country’s social and economic development.
A central concern raised is the need to strengthen public health institutions, which are seen as the backbone of the country’s healthcare system. Stakeholders believe that private healthcare providers should play a complementary role, rather than replacing or overshadowing the public sector. Calls were made to improve the quality and accessibility of public facilities, making them equal to or better than private options, especially for public servants.
Concerns were also voiced over inefficiencies and accountability issues in the management of donor funds. Experts argued that more transparent and strategic health spending could reduce costs and dependency. They proposed a shift in focus towards preventive healthcare and community-based health promotion, including lifestyle changes that reduce the national disease burden.
The decline in donor support has been especially felt following recent geopolitical shifts, including the reduction of foreign aid by the US, UK, Germany, and France. This has already led to temporary suspensions of key programs, particularly those funded by international agencies involved in HIV and reproductive health.
Moreover, the situation is compounded by global events such as the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization, which has disrupted multilateral health efforts. Projections indicate that ODA to Kenya could fall by as much as 17 percent in 2025, a trend that health experts warn will have severe consequences unless urgent reforms are implemented.
In light of these developments, the call is growing louder for the Kenyan government to reduce its overreliance on external funding by developing a robust, self-sustaining health financing model that ensures equitable, quality healthcare for all.
