Author: Charity Kilei

From NHIF to SHA: Kenya’s struggle to overcome health insurance fraud, boost affordability Jun 30, 2025

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has unearthed internal fraud schemes involving ghost services and unauthorized system access.

Natural immunity vs vaccination: Why vaccines are the safer path to long-term protection Jun 30, 2025

Vaccination is not only about protecting yourself; it's about protecting others who can’t defend themselves.

One in five Kenyan adolescents suffers childhood trauma, study reveals Jun 29, 2025

These experiences include various forms of abuse, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect and household dysfunction.

Silent struggles: Kenyan men speak out on financial pressure, mental health, and masculinity Jun 29, 2025

In addition to stigma, practical obstacles such as limited access to affordable and male-friendly mental health services further restrict men’s abilit...

Mpox continues to spread in Africa, with 18 countries reporting active transmission Jun 28, 2025

The majority of cases have been reported in Busia (48 cases) and Mombasa (37), followed by Nakuru (16) and Makueni (10). Smaller clusters emerged in N...

Lancet warns of rising disease outbreaks as global childhood vaccination rates decline Jun 26, 2025

Despite decades of success that have saved over 154 million children’s lives, recent years have seen growing gaps in vaccine coverage.

SHIF's 2.75 per cent deduction remains in effect, Duale says, despite Judge Mwita labelling it illegal Jun 23, 2025

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified that the Ministry respects the court process but emphasised that it did not invalidate the deductions.

Sickle cell survivor Polycarp Wafula defies odds at 42 Jun 22, 2025

Each year, approximately 14,000 children are born with sickle cell disease in Kenya in high-burden areas, and between 2 and 4 out of every 100 newborn...

Kamukunji's quiet triumph: How community effort revitalised a historic Nairobi space Jun 22, 2025

For now, though, Kamukunji Grounds stands as a quiet triumph—a model of what happens when a community decides to reclaim and reshape its own spaces.

‘We were told not to cry’: The untold mental health crisis facing Kenya’s men Jun 22, 2025

Like many others in his situation, Erick Mwari turned to substances to cope, numbing emotional pain with harmful distractions.

Nairobi teen faces childbirth alone after being denied care for lacking ID, SHA Jun 22, 2025

In a tiny room in Muthurwa, Nairobi, Auma prepares for motherhood alone—without baby clothes, a hospital bag, or any family support.

Displaced and vulnerable: The growing humanitarian crisis facing children in IGAD region Jun 16, 2025

According to IGAD, 25 per cent of all migrants in Africa are children, and the majority of these children come from the East African region.

Left to suffer: A woman’s unrelenting battle with cancer, stigma Jun 15, 2025

Her battle began in 2015 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer. At the time, she was a working mother and wife, trying to balance her car...

From misdiagnosis to mission: Breast cancer survivor turns pain into purpose with hand-knit prostheses Jun 15, 2025

Mary Mwangi has transformed profound pain into purpose, offering hope to women facing cancer, stigma, and loss, while restoring dignity and rebuilding...

Health budget falling short of Abuja Declaration and impact, UHC Healthcare Jun 14, 2025

Community health promoters (CHPs) have also been dealt a major blow after their budget was slashed by Sh1.4 billion.

Undocumented status, ID barriers hamper vaccine access for vulnerable mothers, children in Kenya Jun 13, 2025

Unvaccinated children are left exposed to preventable but potentially deadly diseases like polio, measles, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B.

Primary healthcare gets major boost as Treasury triples funding to Sh13.1 billion Jun 12, 2025

This increase marks a threefold allocation to the fund, which has historically been severely underfunded.

Kenya boosts medical interns' support with Sh4.3bn allocation in 2025/26 health budget Jun 12, 2025

The total health budget has increased to Sh138 billion for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, up from Sh123 billion—a reversal of three consecutive years of b...

Major blow for community health promoters as budget slashed by Sh1.4 billion Jun 12, 2025

In the last financial year, CHPs were already grappling with financial constraints, which remain a key challenge in Kenya’s public healthcare system.

Health sector budget rises to Sh138.1 billion in 2025/26 to boost affordable care Jun 12, 2025

The funds have been distributed across key areas as follows: Sh42.4 billion has been set aside for referral hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hos...

SHA under fire: Kenyans decry annual payments, link to Hustler Fund raises alarm Jun 11, 2025

Data from the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) released in September shows more than 50 per cent of Hustler Fund borr...

Anti-inflammatory diet cuts death risk in stage 3 colon cancer by 63pc, new study finds Jun 08, 2025

The study, conducted by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, also found that patients who engaged in regular moderate physical activity, s...

Working through pain: The overlooked health crisis among Kenya’s informal labourers Jun 07, 2025

In a world where survival depends on showing up, even blood and pain don’t qualify as reasons not to report to work.

Clean hands, safe bites: Why everyday food habits matter more than you think Jun 07, 2025

Beyond immediate health risks, unsafe food also accelerates the dangerous rise of antimicrobial resistance, making once-treatable infections harder an...

12 counties run out of vaccines, Ministry of Health confirms Jun 06, 2025

The Ministry has announced that 3.2 million doses of the polio vaccine are currently being cleared at the port, with nationwide distribution set for J...

Eastleigh residents find unity, joy in Eid-ul-Adha celebrations amidst harsh economic times Jun 06, 2025

For Hassan, who has been selling goats for over a decade, Eid-ul-Adha isn’t just a religious celebration — it’s the most important time of the year fo...

How high costs, confusion are hindering workers in informal sector from enrolling on SHA Jun 02, 2025

Under the Social Health Authority (SHA), registering dependents is essential to ensure they receive health coverage alongside the primary member. Elig...

Mother’s struggle mirrors Kenya’s youth nicotine crisis amid flavoured product surge Jun 02, 2025

The World Health Organisation warns that tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death globally and a major contributor to noncommunicabl...

From crime to service: How 'most feared' Pangani youth transformed their lives Jun 01, 2025

These young men were trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction and crime. The community was afraid of them. Law enforcement pursued them. They were sham...

Cost of neglect: How poor sanitation is fueling cholera risk in informal settlements Jun 01, 2025

In numerous informal settlements, calls for better services, such as effective rubbish collection and proper drainage, have gone unanswered. As a resu...

Beyond the bullet wound: Soldier’s descent into depression and family’s unfinished grief Jun 01, 2025

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prevalent mental health condition and a significant public health concern, often arising from exposure to life-thr...

Kenya launches panel to review health benefit tariffs, promote equity and cost-effective care May 26, 2025

The committee will conduct thorough reviews, analyse Kenya’s disease burden, and provide expert recommendations to inform policy decisions grounded in...

One year after deadly floods in Kitui village, survivors still await government resettlement May 25, 2025

Titus Wesonga, a survivor of the 2024 floods, continues to live in his home on riparian land. His house, like many others in the area, was severely da...

Silent agony: Lack of awareness and stigma delay inflammatory bowel disease care in Kenya May 25, 2025

Without timely intervention and proper nutritional support, many individuals continue to suffer in silence, unaware that early dietary and medical man...

Behind the white coats: Kenyan healthcare workers battle burnout, grief and neglect May 25, 2025

Key factors causing mental health challenges for healthcare workers include heavy workloads, limited resources, tough working conditions, delayed pay...

Inside Kenya’s battle against fake and unsafe medicines May 24, 2025

The increasing demand for affordable medication has put many Kenyans at risk of unknowingly consuming fake drugs.

From wheelchair to walking: The miracle of dialysis that fuels a nurse’s passion in Eastleigh May 24, 2025

As a nephrology nurse, commonly known as a dialysis nurse, Kalima specialises in treating patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Hidden dangers of Chlamydia which is always mistaken for a UTI May 23, 2025

Untreated chlamydia is a leading cause of preterm birth. It can cause inflammation and infections in the reproductive tract, increasing the chances of...

From addiction to advocacy: How one man’s battle with drugs sparked mental health movement May 22, 2025

Moved by the number of young men falling into the same trap he had escaped, he founded Chipukeezy—a youth group that uses sports to promote mental hea...

Inside the ICU: Nurse's daily fight to save lives amid grief, shortages, silent strength May 19, 2025

Nurses like Jackline Atieno form the backbone of the healthcare system, often serving as the first point of contact for patients and providing continu...

‘We do everything, but get nothing’: Kenyan nurses tell of pay gaps, exploitation and burnout May 19, 2025

Pay disparities and poor treatment continue to plague healthcare workers under the UHC programme, with around 8,500 staff reportedly earning only half...

World Hypertension Day: How high blood pressure is killing a lot of Kenyans as it goes undetected May 17, 2025

Unlike many diseases that present clear symptoms, high blood pressure often goes unnoticed for years. Many people have no idea they suffer from it unt...

Bhang was their father: A mother’s raw journey through addiction, survival and sobriety May 11, 2025

Reports by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse indicate a growing trend in drug use among women and girls in Kenya.

Silent but deadly: Growing burden of respiratory diseases in Kenya May 10, 2025

Respiratory illnesses and malaria remain the most common reasons for hospital visits in Kenya, according to new data released in the Economic Survey 2...

Is Kenya ready for next health crisis? Unpaid workers, weak systems raise alarms after Covid May 10, 2025

Without adequate investment in human resources and infrastructure, Kenya may struggle to respond effectively to future health emergencies, thereby com...

Explainer: Who are the striking UHC workers, and why are they protesting? May 08, 2025

Though hired on contractual terms, they were assured that their positions would be converted to permanent and pensionable roles after a set period.

Kenya launches public health institute to boost emergency response, centralise disease surveillance May 08, 2025

The KNPHI, established through a legal notice, provides Kenya with a centralised platform to coordinate health intelligence, risk detection, and natio...

Forgotten hygiene: Handwashing struggles in Nairobi slums as Covid protocols fade May 06, 2025

A spot check by The Eastleigh Voice across several slums in Nairobi paints a concerning picture of failed water initiatives, ruined infrastructure, dr...

Ignored allergies, sleepless nights: How undiagnosed sinusitis disrupted Leila’s life May 04, 2025

Acute rhinosinusitis is responsible for a large portion of adult antibiotic prescriptions, making it a leading cause of antibiotic use.

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