Duale announces plan for Kenya’s first health workforce policy
By Faith Lagat, March 29, 2026The government has initiated the process of developing Kenya’s first comprehensive policy on human resources for health, aimed at addressing long-standing workforce challenges in the country’s health sector.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the move on Sunday, March 29, 2026, saying Kenya has not had a dedicated policy guiding the development and management of healthcare professionals since independence.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Duale said the proposed Kenya Healthcare Professionals’ Policy, 2026 seeks to ensure the country trains and deploys the right number of healthcare workers with the appropriate skills.
“This will ensure we train the right cadre of healthcare workers in the right numbers to ensure proper skills mix,” Duale said.
He added that the Universal Health Coverage agenda recognises the important role played by health workers in delivering quality healthcare services across the country.
Policy targets workforce challenges
The Ministry of Health said the draft policy is intended to address challenges affecting healthcare professionals at both national and county levels.
According to the ministry, the policy will focus on strengthening governance, coordination and partnerships in the management of human resources for health.
“The policy is expected to guide workforce planning up to 2036, inform the next HRH strategic plan, and support integration with broader reforms such as digital health systems and primary healthcare strengthening.”
Other objectives include improving planning, sustainable financing, management and professional development of healthcare workers.
The ministry also seeks to improve the quality and relevance of education and training programmes for health professionals while harmonising legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the sector.
The policy aims to ensure an adequate supply of healthcare workers, an optimal skills mix, equitable distribution across the country and improved performance within the health system.
Health workforce shortages
Kenya has faced persistent shortages of healthcare workers, particularly in public health facilities and in remote and underserved counties.
Some regions have struggled with limited numbers of doctors, nurses and specialised professionals, affecting the delivery of essential services.
Challenges linked to the health workforce have also included disparities in staffing between counties, limited career progression and difficulties in retaining skilled professionals.
The introduction of devolution in 2013 transferred the management of most health services to county governments, which has contributed to variations in recruitment, remuneration and working conditions across the country.
The government has previously implemented strategies to improve health workforce management, including the Kenya Human Resources for Health Strategy 2019–2023.
However, officials say the absence of a comprehensive policy has limited efforts to address systemic issues affecting the sector.
Public invited to submit views
The Ministry has invited stakeholders and members of the public to submit comments on the draft policy as part of the public participation process required under Article 10 of the Constitution.
The ministry said professional unions, training institutions, county governments, civil society organisations and members of the public are encouraged to review the draft document and submit their views.
Written memoranda can be delivered to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary for Health at Afya House in Nairobi or submitted through the Ministry of Health.
Submissions must be received by April 16, 2026, with the draft policy available on the Ministry of Health website for public review. “I hope that all the stakeholders, especially the unions, will fully participate in this process,” Duale said.