The Cabinet Secretary of Health, Aden Duale, appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health. He presented the 2026/2027 Financial Year Revenue and Expenditure Estimates for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards. 

The session, chaired by Dr. James Nyikal, focused on the implementation of the Taifa Care Model and the broader shift towards preventive and promotive healthcare under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). In his presentation, Duale underscored the government’s focus on strengthening preventive health systems, improving coordination across the health sector, and reinforcing regulatory frameworks to support more efficient service delivery. He noted that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a key national priority, requiring sustained investment in both infrastructure and human resources for health. 

He also highlighted the growing pressure on Kenya’s health system, driven by rising disease burdens and emerging public health threats. Duale also pointed to the need for enhanced disease surveillance, stronger emergency preparedness and response systems, and improved sanitation and hygiene interventions. A key concern raised during the presentation was the need to protect essential public health programmes, particularly immunisation, from budget cuts during supplementary budget processes. He warned that any reduction in funding could undermine progress made in safeguarding public health outcomes. 

Duale further outlined ongoing reforms aimed at shifting the system from a predominantly curative model to one that prioritises prevention at the community level. This includes scaling up Primary Care Networks, strengthening the role of Community Health Promoters, and expanding digital health systems to improve efficiency and access. Other priority areas presented included tuberculosis and malaria control programmes, workforce training and internship support, strengthening public health laboratories, improving food safety systems, and investing in research, innovation, and regulatory capacity across the sector. 

The session also heard submissions from Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, and other senior officials from the ministry. They reinforced the government’s emphasis on prevention-led healthcare delivery and system-wide reforms aimed at improving long-term health outcomes. 

(Source: Ministry of Health)