Universal Health Coverage Stories

UHC row escalates as governors accuse Ministry of Health of undermining devolution
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 01, 2025

The mandatory rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system also came under fire, with governors describing it as rushed, inconsisten...

Governors to hold emergency meeting over UHC staff and e-Procurement standoff
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 01, 2025

The county bosses argue that directives from the Health ministry and Treasury are unilateral, financially unsustainable and disruptive to service deli...

Counties push for Sh7.8 billion funding to permanently absorb 8,000 UHC workers
Lucy Mumbi  |  Aug 31, 2025

Council of Governors Health Committee Chairperson Muthomi Njuki said the funding is essential for counties to manage the new workforce without straini...

UHC staff turn heat on CoG Chair Muthomi Njuki, demand impeachment
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Aug 27, 2025

In a strongly worded response, the UHC workers described Njuki’s comments as “reckless and insensitive”, accusing the Tharaka Nithi County governor of...

CoG raises concerns over UHC staff integration into county payrolls
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Aug 26, 2025

The chair of CoG’s Health Committee in a statement on Tuesday said the Ministry’s approach conflicts with earlier agreements made between national and...

Kenya records landmark milestones in fight against HIV, malaria, TB and sleeping sickness
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Aug 19, 2025

More than 1.36 million people living with HIV in Kenya are now on lifesaving treatment, covering 98 per cent of those diagnosed, while mother-to-child...

Kenya to receive Sh10 billion for maternal and newborn care
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Aug 19, 2025

The support will strengthen the country’s reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programme and enhance access to life-saving ca...

No gratuity for contract UHC workers transitioning to permanent terms, PS Oluga declares
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Aug 06, 2025

The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga said the transition constitutes continued service rather than termination, which is the le...

How misconceptions are undermining breastfeeding efforts in Kenya
Charity Kilei  |  Jul 22, 2025

Experts have called for increased education and awareness about the many benefits of breastfeeding - not only for the child and mother but also for th...

Health CS Duale cracks down on hospital overcrowding, demands accurate bed capacity data
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jul 15, 2025

Duale also emphasised that any facility intending to admit more patients must first expand its physical infrastructure—such as beds and space—to accom...

Governors seek Sh7.8 billion annual funding to absorb 8,287 UHC staff into county payrolls
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Jul 11, 2025

The Ministry of Health announced in May that all UHC staff would officially be transferred to county governments by July 1, 2025.

Ministry of Health cracks down on bed sharing in public hospitals, labels it fraud
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Jul 08, 2025

Health CS Aden Duale warned that hospitals admitting patients beyond their licensed bed capacity will be held accountable. He stated that any claims i...

Kenya goes digital in healthcare to fight fraud, counterfeit drugs
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 19, 2025

Duale said this move is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the health sector.

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

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

Garissa health facilities receive over 1,000 tablets in digital health push
Issa Hussein  |  Jun 13, 2025

Duale expressed concern about the low SHA registration in Garissa County, where he said only 150,000 residents registered against the targeted number...

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

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

Major blow for community health promoters as budget slashed by Sh1.4 billion
Charity Kilei  |  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.

Kenya boosts medical interns' support with Sh4.3bn allocation in 2025/26 health budget
Charity Kilei  |  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...

Ministry of Health, governors agree to joint audit of UHC staff
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 12, 2025

Until current contracts end and gratuities are fully paid, the Health Ministry will continue managing the payroll for UHC workers, easing recent tensi...

3,000 ghost workers exposed in UHC payroll scandal amid ongoing strike
Eastleigh Voice Reporter  |  Jun 03, 2025

Investigations show that these non-existent workers have been receiving monthly salaries of Sh50,000 each, costing taxpayers more than Sh1.5 million e...

Kenyan breast cancer patients to pay 67pc less for treatment under new deal with Roche
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 29, 2025

The agreement, formalised through an MoU, is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen financial protection for cancer patients in line w...

Health CS Duale says he will unveil list of fraudulent health facilities on June 14
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 28, 2025

The CS on Wednesday said the planned public release of a “list of shame” is part of the Ministry’s effort to clean up the sector and rebuild public tr...

World Bank urges scrapping of SHIF deductions for low-wage workers, cites threats to UHC goals
Bashir Mbuthia  |  May 27, 2025

A recent World Bank report states that the 2.75 per cent SHIF payroll deduction places a financial strain on low-income workers and small businesses.

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

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

MPs propose extra Sh47bn for health ministry to secure UHC jobs, improve services
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  May 23, 2025

The National Assembly Health Committee chair, James Nyikal, said the extra funds include Sh5 billion to pay gratuity to the 8,550 UHC workers whose co...

Africa’s pharma market to grow 26pc by 2029 as demand rises, but local production still lags
Alfred Onyango  |  May 21, 2025

Data from the UN Trade and Development notes that over 70 per cent of Africa’s medicines are imported, and half of the countries on the continent have...

Inside the ICU: Nurse's daily fight to save lives amid grief, shortages, silent strength
Charity Kilei  |  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...

UHC staff to be transferred to counties by July 1, 2025 — Ministry of Health
Rachael Mutabasi  |  May 13, 2025

Following consultations with key stakeholders, including healthcare worker unions and the Council of Governors, the Ministry revealed that agreements...

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