The Government of Kenya has significantly stepped up investments in healthcare workers and strategic partnerships as it rolls out the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda under the Taifa Care program, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale announced during a press briefing held earlier today.
Addressing the media, CS Duale emphasized the government’s commitment to building a resilient health system driven by a well-supported workforce and collaborative engagement with the private sector. “This is a government that acts, not just talks. We are investing in the people who deliver care,” he stated.
To sustain and strengthen the healthcare workforce, the Ministry of Health has allocated:
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KES 6.2 billion for the engagement of UHC contract health workers,
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KES 1.75 billion to settle arrears and obligations under the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) agreements,
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KES 4.2 billion for the deployment of new medical interns, including doctors, pharmacists, and clinical officers,
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KES 3.2 billion for the training and stipends of over 100,000 Community Health Promoters across the country.
In a parallel move to enhance access to care at the grassroots, KES 13 billion has been committed to Primary Healthcare programs, with KES 8 billion allocated for the expansion of Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Care services.
The government is also harnessing the power of strategic partnerships to lower the cost of care and extend specialized services to more Kenyans. Among the key developments:
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Aga Khan University Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital have joined the Taifa Care network and will now provide oncology and renal services—including kidney transplants—at Social Health Authority (SHA) tariff rates, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
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A breakthrough partnership with Roche Pharmaceuticals has resulted in a significant price reduction for the life-saving breast cancer drug Herceptin, from KES 120,000 to KES 40,000.
“These partnerships show our seriousness in lowering the cost of care and enhancing access. UHC is not just a policy promise—it’s becoming a reality,” added CS Duale.
The briefing was attended by top health officials, including Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, Public Health PS Ms. Mary Muthoni, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, DHA CEO Eng. Antony Lenaiyara, DHA CEO Dr. Ejersa Wako, and Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, among others.
The Taifa Care initiative is a cornerstone of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), with a focus on equity, accessibility, and affordability in healthcare for every Kenyan.
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