The Ministry of Health is collaborating with faith-based organisations (FBOs) to deepen delivery of universal health coverage.
Faith groups attended a high-level consultative meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
They have pledged new investments in human resources, digitisation, and health financing.
Representatives from the Christian Health Association of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims attended the meeting.
A press statement sent to newsrooms reaffirmed “their commitment to strengthening Taifa Care, the government’s flagship universal health coverage programme.”
Health CS Aden Duale praised the “great role” played by FBOs in health service delivery across the country, noting their reach in remote and underserved areas.
“Faith-based providers have been instrumental partners in ensuring that Kenyans, regardless of location, have access to affordable healthcare,” Duale said.
The Ministry has reported that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has onboarded 26.5 million Kenyans into the national health system.
At the same time, digitisation efforts have reached 3,386 of a targeted 6,500 public health facilities. The ministry said it has provided FBOs with digital gadgets and training to accelerate the process.
“On staffing, the government has allocated Sh6.1 billion for UHC employees in the 2025/26 budget, alongside Sh9.9 billion for medical interns—some of whom serve in FBO hospitals—and Sh3.2 billion to support Community Health Promoters,” read part of the statement.
The statement noted that supply of essential drugs and equipment, often a flashpoint in Kenya’s health sector, is also being prioritised.
According to the Ministry, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has improved its order fill rate to 70%, with a target of 90% by December 2025 following recapitalisation.
“SHA has disbursed Sh10 billion for primary health care and Sh59.3 billion for social health insurance funds.”
CS Duale has also petitioned the National Treasury to set aside Sh5.4 billion in supplementary allocations to clear legacy debts of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
To strengthen oversight, CS Duale announced he will visit the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) within the next two weeks and oversee the launch of CT scan services at Tenwek and Dream Lands hospitals.
The SHA is also expected to assign relationship managers to each health facility—public, private, and faith-based—to improve accountability and service delivery.
Faith-based leaders welcomed the government’s commitments but urged faster resolution of systemic challenges.
The group agreed to submit lists of remote facilities most in need of digital support and pledged to use church and mosque platforms to raise awareness about SHA registration and payment.
Regular progress reviews have also been scheduled, with quarterly updates to be chaired by faith-based representatives.
The partnership comes at a time when Kenya is racing to deliver on its promise of universal health coverage amid fiscal pressures and public frustration over inequities in access to care.