Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale recently visited Kericho County to reaffirm the government’s commitment to enhancing Kenya’s health systems and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all citizens. The visit, which took place on May 9, 2025, highlighted the ongoing reforms in the health sector under the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
In his keynote address, Hon. Duale provided an overview of the key initiatives being implemented to improve the healthcare landscape in Kenya. Among the most notable reforms is the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), a program designed to streamline healthcare delivery and ensure that all citizens, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, have access to affordable and quality services. The SHA initiative includes the registration of individuals under the program and the introduction of comprehensive benefit packages aimed at providing a wide range of essential health services.
Hon. Duale also emphasized the government’s efforts to digitize healthcare services. This transformation is central to the success of the Taifa Care Model, which seeks to revolutionize how health services are delivered and managed across the country. Digitization is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health service delivery, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure that healthcare workers and patients alike benefit from improved access to information and services.
A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of plans to construct a Level 6 Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kericho, a project that will be carried out in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB). This new facility is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing access to specialized healthcare services for the residents of Kericho and surrounding counties. It is also aligned with the government’s broader agenda to meet the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing high-quality medical services at the local level, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to access specialized care.
The proposed hospital is expected to not only improve health outcomes but also create opportunities for local capacity building through the training of medical professionals. With its establishment, residents will no longer need to travel to larger cities for complex medical treatment, ensuring that specialized services are brought closer to the people.
Furthermore, Hon. Duale urged the leadership of Kericho County to ensure the full integration of all Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities into the SHA program. This step is crucial to ensuring that healthcare services are not only accessible but also equitable, especially at the community level. Integrating PHC facilities into the SHA will ensure that every citizen, regardless of their location, receives the care they need without facing barriers related to cost or distance.
The visit to Kericho was hosted by Governor H.E. Erick Mutai, who welcomed the initiatives and assured the Cabinet Secretary of the county’s full support in implementing the health reforms. Also present were National Assembly Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, along with other senior government officials, who collectively expressed their commitment to working together with local leadership to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
Hon. Duale’s visit to Kericho serves as a clear indication of the government’s unwavering dedication to improving Kenya’s healthcare systems. With the focus on reforms such as the SHA and the development of critical healthcare infrastructure, the country is poised to make significant strides towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that all Kenyans have access to the care they deserve.
