Duale presses for increased funding as health sector faces scrutiny
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 12, 2026Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended the government’s healthcare spending plans while calling for more funding to support critical programmes under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Duale appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health at Bunge Towers in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, during the consideration of the 2026/27 budget estimates for the State Department for Medical Services.
The committee, chaired by Seme MP James Nyikal, heard that the ministry wants to strengthen healthcare delivery through reforms in financing, digital systems and local manufacturing of medical products.
The CS said the ministry remains responsible for health policy, regulation, national referral systems, capacity building and technical support to county governments.
A large part of his presentation focused on frontline healthcare workers and facilities. Duale said the ministry urgently needs funds to replace kits used by Community Health Promoters (CHPs), arguing that the equipment is important in improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
He also confirmed that the government plans to onboard 107,000 CHPs onto the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme in partnership with county governments.
At the same time, Duale confirmed that contracts for UHC health workers have been extended until 30 June 2026. He said the extension will allow counties enough time to absorb the workers into their payrolls through a structured transition process.
“We have also extended contracts for UHC health workers up to 30th June 2026 to support a structured transition to county payrolls,” he said.
Push for more funding
Duale further appealed for more resources for programmes that the ministry considers essential to the health sector. These include the operationalisation of the East Africa Centre for Excellence in Urology and Nephrology, strengthening blood services and increasing support for the Primary Healthcare Fund.
He also asked Parliament to allocate more money towards emergency and critical illness services, as well as national referral hospitals that continue to receive complex cases from counties across the country.
The CS stressed the importance of protecting funding for immunisation and public health programmes through ring-fenced allocations.
“In addition, I highlighted ongoing reforms to strengthen health financing, digital health systems and supply chain management,” Duale said.
He appeared before the committee alongside Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga and Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, as well as ministry directors, technical heads and chief executives from health agencies.
Parliament is expected to review the proposals before approving the national budget for the next financial year.