Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has stated that many leaders from neighbouring nations have expressed admiration for how Kenya has successfully rolled out the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

Speaking during an interview on a popular radio station on Wednesday, November 18, 2025, he said that whenever he meets leaders serving in various capacities from neighbouring countries, they are always eager to know how Kenya managed to implement UHC despite many Kenyans having reservations about it and losing trust in the government’s ability to deliver the dream.

The Health CS noted that many of his counterparts have declared interest in coming to Kenya to benchmark and observe how the country is managing to roll out the scheme. He attributed the success of the programme, which was initiated during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime, to the bold steps taken by President William Ruto.

According to Duale, without Ruto’s courage and commitment, the scheme would not have taken off or attracted such regional attention.

“Nikienda mikutano mawaziri wengi wa afya, tunataka kuja kujifunza vile mlifanya, lakini inahitaji bold leadership, nah io ndio maana rais wan chi anatusukuma sana sisi mawaziri kufanya.” Duale stated.

Drawing parallels from Singapore

He also cited a quote by Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, whose governance model President Ruto greatly admires, saying that ministers shouldn’t “make babies or sell ice cream” but should instead make bold decisions on behalf of their people so that, at the end of the day, they can see progress in favour of the citizenry.

“Nataka tuangalie ule mtu alibadilisha Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. Wacha nichukue vile amedescribe mawaziri, that ministers shouldn’t “make babies or sell ice cream” but should instead make bold decisions on behalf of their people so that, at the end of the day, they can see progress in favour of the citizenry.” Duale added.

Duale went on to praise President Ruto, saying he has achieved more in the areas of health and housing than four former presidents combined.

He acknowledged that although the Social Health Authority (SHA) is still experiencing teething problems, Kenya remains the first country in the African region to implement it.