Kenya commits to full implementation of traditional medicine services
By Joel Masibo, December 19, 2025The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed the central place of traditional medicine in Kenya’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking on Friday, December 19, 2025, while joining other ministers at the Ministerial Roundtable on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), held in New Delhi, India, Duale recognised the pivotal role of traditional medicine in varied cultures.
The CS also confirmed that Kenya supports the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) and alignment with the Summit theme, ‘Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,’ which closely mirrors health reforms and the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
Safety concerns
”Our TCIM approach is anchored in safety, scientific rigour, innovation, environmental stewardship and respectful integration of indigenous knowledge, with the Constitution safeguarding biodiversity, equitable benefit-sharing and indigenous knowledge systems,” Aden Duale said via X on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The Health CS also revealed that Kenya is putting up policies to operationalise the traditional methods of curing diseases.
”To operationalise this commitment, Kenya has put in place a robust policy and regulatory architecture, including the TCIM Policy, the Traditional Health Practitioners Bill, the National Research Framework and the Herbalist Handbook,” Duale added.
According to the CS, the regulation of traditional products is currently overseen by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) across the full lifecycle, supported by digital systems and expert committees. He also hailed Kenya’s role in implementing the particular initiative regionally, adding that the country is advancing research and collaboration on the same.
Kenya’s regional role
”Kenya’s designation as a Regional Centre of Regulatory Excellence in Pharmacovigilance reflects sustained investment in regulatory science and patient safety. Kenya is also advancing research and collaboration, leveraging genomics, AI, and digital health, to strengthen standardisation and evidence generation,” Aden Duale added.
”The Government remains committed to progressively integrating validated TCIM into primary healthcare through practitioner accreditation, referral pathways, strengthened research and potential inclusion within social health insurance benefits,” The CS said.
Aden Duale went ahead to say that Kenya stands ready to work with Africa CDC, WHO, Member States and partners to unlock TCIM’s full potential, ensuring it is safe, regulated, evidence-based and culturally grounded, to strengthen health systems and improve lives across the continent.