The government has announced its firm commitment to eliminate fragmentation in Kenya’s health sector through comprehensive digitization. This was emphasized during a high-level consultative meeting with development partners in Nairobi, where health sector stakeholders were updated on the strategic steps being taken to integrate health systems nationwide.
The Ministry of Health outlined its plan to ensure that all current and future health systems public and private must be certified and harmonized through the Digital Health Agency, in line with the recently enacted Digital Health Act and accompanying regulations. This digital integration is seen as a vital component for improving healthcare delivery across the country.
Digitization, according to ministry leadership, is expected to significantly improve service efficiency, support the delivery of telemedicine, enhance the ability to track and trace medical products from source to end user, and safeguard the quality of care by ensuring that only certified healthcare professionals are authorized to provide services. The goal is to build an integrated digital infrastructure that not only improves care access and coordination but also aligns donor support with national health priorities for long-term sustainability.
Key updates were shared on Kenya’s ongoing journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a cornerstone of the country’s health agenda. The UHC strategy is structured around six pillars: publicly financed primary healthcare, a rights-based social health insurance model, transparent and efficient digital health systems, improved emergency and referral services, consistent health commodity availability, and a motivated, well-distributed healthcare workforce.
The need for better coordination, aligned investments, and shared accountability was emphasized as critical for achieving effective and sustainable health service delivery. The ministry reiterated its commitment to institutionalizing a partnership framework that adheres to the principles of one national plan, one budget, and one monitoring and evaluation system. This approach aims to replace the existing disjointed project-based initiatives with a streamlined, national effort driven by shared goals and metrics.
Development partners reaffirmed their support for Kenya’s UHC objectives, which are aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The focus moving forward will be on improving accountability, supporting policy dialogue, and continuing technical collaboration to strengthen institutional capacities.
The importance of structured alignment and a shift from fragmented contributions to coordinated support was highlighted. Discussions also covered key reform areas, including the ongoing transformation at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), mechanisms for tracking health expenditures, mapping and mobilizing financial and human resources, and bolstering national response capabilities to health emergencies and disease outbreaks.
The meeting included participation from top government and health sector officials, who reiterated their collective commitment to advancing Kenya’s health system transformation. The emphasis was clear: achieving better health outcomes requires unity of purpose, integration of systems, and the effective harnessing of digital tools to serve all citizens equitably. The government is determined to lead the sector into a new era one that is transparent, efficient, and people-centered.
